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Dictionary definition: abbreviation
- Article from:
- The Oxford Dictionary of English Grammar
- Author:
Copyright© The Oxford Dictionary of English Grammar 1998, originally published by Oxford University Press 1998. (Hide copyright information)
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abbreviation
A shortened form of a word or phrase, standing for the whole.
This term is applied in three different ways.
a.
A string of letters—often spoken as such—formed from the initial letters of the (main) words of a phrase. Also called
INITIALISM
.
BBC
| (British Broadcasting Corporation)
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CBI
| (Confederation of British Industry)
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ERM
| (Exchange Rate Mechanism)
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OTT
| (over the top)
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PC
| (personal computer)
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UK
| (United Kingdom)
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Sometimes the letters represent syllables of a word.
ID
| (identity or identification card)
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TB
| (tuberculosis)
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b.
A word (sometimes called a
CLIPPING
) standing for the whole, retaining at least one syllable of the original word.
ad
| (advertisement) (M19)
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demo
| (demonstration) (M20)
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flu
| ...
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