incipit

noun in·ci·pit \ˈin(t)-sə-pət, ˈiŋ-kə-ˌpit; in-ˈsi-pət, -ˈki-\

Definition of INCIPIT

: the first part : beginning; specifically : the opening words of a text of a medieval manuscript or early printed book

Latin, it begins, from incipere

First Known Use: 1897

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