abbreviate
[uh-bree-vee-eyt]
verb (used with object), ab·bre·vi·at·ed, ab·bre·vi·at·ing.
to shorten (a word or phrase) by omitting letters, substituting shorter forms, etc., so that the shortened form can represent the whole word or phrase, as ft. for foot, ab. for about, R.I. for Rhode Island, NW for Northwest, or Xn for Christian.
to reduce (anything) in length, duration, etc.; make briefer: to abbreviate a speech.
verb (used without object), ab·bre·vi·at·ed, ab·bre·vi·at·ing.
to use abbreviations.
RELATED CONTENT
RELATED WORDS
abridge, compress, abort, truncate, trim, pare, cut, prune, clip, abstract, reduce, condense, contract, summarize, encapsulate, digest, restrict, curtail
Nearby words
- abbott, george,
- abbott, sir john joseph caldwell,
- abboud,
- abbr.,
- abbrev.,
- abbreviated,
- abbreviation,
- abbreviatory,
- abby,
- abbé
Origin of abbreviate
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for abbreviate
abbreviate
verb (tr)
Word Origin for abbreviate
C15: from the past participle of Late Latin abbreviāre, from Latin brevis brief
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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abbreviate
mid-15c., from Latin abbreviatus, past participle of abbreviare "to shorten" (see abbreviation). Also sometimes 15c. abbrevy, from Middle French abrevier (14c.), from Latin abbreviare. Related: Abbreviated; abbreviating.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper