Main Difference
The main difference between Signature and Initial is that the Signature is a handwritten mark made as a proof of identity and intent and Initial is a letter at the beginning of a word, a chapter, or a paragraph that is larger than the rest of the text.
Signature
A signature (; from Latin: signare, “to sign”) is a handwritten (and often stylized) depiction of someone’s name, nickname, or even a simple “X” or other mark that a person writes on documents as a proof of identity and intent. The writer of a signature is a signatory or signer. Similar to a handwritten signature, a signature work describes the work as readily identifying its creator. A signature may be confused with an autograph, which is chiefly an artistic signature. This can lead to confusion when people have both an autograph and signature and as such some people in the public eye keep their signatures private whilst fully publishing their autograph.
Initial
In a written or published work, an initial or drop cap is a letter at the beginning of a word, a chapter, or a paragraph that is larger than the rest of the text. The word is derived from the Latin initialis, which means standing at the beginning. An initial is often several lines in height and in older books or manuscripts, sometimes ornately decorated.
In illuminated manuscripts, initials with images inside them, such as those illustrated here, are known as historiated initials. They were an invention of the Insular art of the British Isles in the eighth century. Initials containing, typically, plant-form spirals with small figures of animals or humans that do not represent a specific person or scene are known as “inhabited” initials. Certain important initials, such as the Beatus initial or “B” of Beatus vir… at the opening of Psalm 1 at the start of a vulgate Latin psalter, could occupy a whole page of a manuscript.
These specific initials, in an illuminated manuscript, also were called Initiums.
Signature (adjective)
Distinctive, characteristic, indicative of identity.
“Rabbit in mustard sauce is my signature dish.”
“The signature route of the airline is its daily flight between Buenos Aires and Madrid.”
Signature (noun)
A person’s name, written by that person, used to signify approval of accompanying material, such as a legal contract.
Signature (noun)
The act of signing one’s name.
Signature (noun)
The part of a doctor’s prescription containing directions for the patient.
Signature (noun)
Signs on the stave indicating key and tempo, composed of the key signature and the time signature.
Signature (noun)
A group of four (or a multiple of four) pages printed such that, when folded, they become a section of a book.
Signature (noun)
A pattern used for matching the identity of a virus, the parameter types of a method, etc.
Signature (noun)
Data attached to a message that guarantees that the message originated from its claimed source.
Signature (noun)
A mark or sign of implication.
Signature (noun)
A tuple specifying the sign of coefficients in any diagonal form of a quadratic form.
Signature (noun)
A resemblance between the external character of a disease and those of some physical agent, for instance, that existing between the red skin of scarlet fever and a red cloth; supposed to indicate this agent in the treatment of the disease.
Initial (adjective)
Chronologically first, early; of or pertaining to the beginning, cause or origin.
“Our initial admiration for their efficiency gave way to disgust about their methods.”
“The initial stages of a syndrome may differ vastly from the final symptoms.”
Initial (adjective)
Spatially first, placed at the beginning, in the first position; especially said of the first letter of a word.
“The initial letter of names is usually printed with a capital letter.”
Initial (noun)
The first letter of a word or a name.
Initial (noun)
In plural, the first letter of each word of a person’s full name considered as a unit.
“You can get your initials printed at the top.”
Initial (noun)
A distinguished initial letter of a chapter or section of a document.
Initial (noun)
onset, part of a syllable that precedes the syllable nucleus in phonetics and phonology.
Initial (verb)
To sign one’s initial(s), as an abbreviated signature.
“Please initial each page and sign the contract in full at the bottom.”
Signature (noun)
a person’s name written in a distinctive way as a form of identification in authorizing a cheque or document or concluding a letter
“the signature of a senior manager”
Signature (noun)
the action of signing a document
“the licence was sent to the customer for signature”
Signature (noun)
a distinctive pattern, product, or characteristic by which someone or something can be identified
“the chef produced the pâté that was his signature”
“his signature dish”
Signature (noun)
short for key signature or time signature
Signature (noun)
a letter or figure printed at the foot of one or more pages of each sheet of a book as a guide in binding.
Signature (noun)
a printed sheet after being folded to form a group of pages.
Signature (noun)
the part of a medical prescription that gives instructions about the use of the medicine or drug prescribed.