A shortened form of a word or phrase.
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Types of abbreviations:
There are four main kinds of abbreviations: shortenings, contractions, initialisms, and acronyms. 1 Shortenings of words usually consist of the first few letters of the full form and are usually spelled with a final period when they are still regarded as abbreviations, for example, cont. = continued, in = inch. In the cases when they form words in their own right, the period is omitted, for example, hippo = hippopotamus, limo = limousine. Such shortenings are often but not always informal. Some become the standard forms, and the full forms are then regarded as formal or technical, for example, bus = omnibus, taxi = taxicab, deli = delicatessen, zoo = zoological garden. Sometimes shortenings are altered to facilitate their pronunciation or spelling: bike = bicycle2 Contractions are abbreviated forms in which letters from the middle of the full form have been omitted, for example, Dr. = doctor, St. = saint or street. Such forms are invariably followed by a period. Another kind of contraction is the type with an apostrophe marking the omission of letters: can't = cannot, didn't = did not, you've = you have. 3 Initialisms are made up of the initial letters of words and are pronounced as separate letters: CIA (or C.I.A.), NYC, pm (or p.m.), U.S. (or US). Practice varies with regard to periods, with current usage increasingly in favor of omitting them, especially when the initialism consists entirely of capital letters. 4 Acronyms are initialisms that have become words in their own right, or similar words formed from parts of several words. They are pronounced as words rather than as a series of letters, for example, AIDS, laser, scuba, UNESCO, and do not have periods. In many cases the acronym becomes the standard term and the full form is only used in explanatory contexts.
by Jafje September 01, 2007
1. A city, town, or other area that has its own local government.
2. The appointed or elected members of a local government.
2. The appointed or elected members of a local government.
by Jafje April 18, 2007
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NOUN:
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1) Tool: a useful piece of equipment, usually a specially shaped object designed to do a particular task.
2) Law requirement: something needed in order to achieve something else.
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TRANSITIVE VERB:
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1. Carry out or fulfill something: to put something into effect or action.
2. To provide or equip somebody with the tools or other means to do something.
NOUN:
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1) Tool: a useful piece of equipment, usually a specially shaped object designed to do a particular task.
2) Law requirement: something needed in order to achieve something else.
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TRANSITIVE VERB:
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1. Carry out or fulfill something: to put something into effect or action.
2. To provide or equip somebody with the tools or other means to do something.
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NOUN:
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1) Writing implements.
2) They still need to get that through implementation.
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TRANSITIVE VERB:
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1) The plan has yet to be fully implemented.
2) The thieves were given all necessary implementations.
by Jafje June 14, 2007
by Jafje May 10, 2007
1. Dominating harshly: Imposing a harsh or cruel form of domination.
2. Highly stressful: Exerting a worrying, troubling, or burdensome pressure on somebody.
3. Stifling: So hot and humid as to make people feel tired, irritable, or sluggish.
An oppressive regime.
by Jafje March 31, 2007
Abbreviation: VS.
1. Against someone or something, especially in a competition or court case.
2. Alternative to something: as opposed to or contrasted with such considerations as money versus job satisfaction.
by Jafje September 01, 2007
A law that forces all men (and sometimes women) to join the armed forces if and when they are needed.
by Jafje May 10, 2007