That which is begun; a rudiment or element.
The act of doing that which begins anything; commencement of an action, state, or space of time; entrance into being or upon a course; the first act, effort, or state of a succession of acts or states.
The initial portion of some extended thing.
That which begins or originates something; the source or first cause.
Of or relating to the first portion of some extended thing.
An introduction or prelude.
The main course or main dish of a meal.
A smaller dish served before the main course of a meal.
The act of entering somewhere, or permission to enter; admittance.