Word
abbreviature
Phoneticsab·bre·via·ture
Definitions
01shortened word
n. a short form of a word or phrase.
n. A shortened form of a word or phrase used to represent the whole; a synonym for abbreviation.
“The old manuscript used a strange abbreviature for the king's name.”
“The scribe employed a specific abbreviature to save space on the expensive vellum, a practice common in medieval legal documents.”
Archaic
Usage
Used as a countable noun in this sense.
Teaching tip
Modern speakers should use 'abbreviation' instead; this term is found almost exclusively in historical or linguistic contexts.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02summary or abridgment
n. a short version of a longer book or piece of writing.
n. A condensed version or abstract of a larger work; an abridgment.
“He read a brief abbreviature of the long history book.”
“The scholar provided an abbreviature of the primary findings to ensure the council could review the essential points quickly.”
Archaic
Usage
Can be used as both a countable and uncountable noun.
Teaching tip
In modern English, 'summary' or 'abstract' is preferred for academic work, while 'abridgment' is used for books.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From Medieval Latin abbreviātūra, from Late Latin abbreviō (“shorten, abbreviate”). See also abbreviate.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.