Exordial is an adjective that means taking place at the beginning.

The Latin word exoridi (EX or deer ee) means ‘begin.’ By the Late 16th century, the word exordium, meaning ‘beginning’ had entered English. Exordial refers to the something taking place in the introductory part.

Audrey’s exordial moments at college were strange. It took a while to adjust to such a different life, and those opening few weeks threw her off-guard.