Main Entry:

ab·bre·vi·ate

Pronunciation:

\ə-ˈbrē-vē-ˌāt\

Function:

transitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

ab·bre·vi·at·ed; ab·bre·vi·at·ing

Etymology:

Middle English, from Late Latin abbreviatus, past participle of abbreviare — more at abridge

Date:

15th century

: to make briefer ; especially : to reduce to a shorter form intended to stand for the whole

synonyms see shorten

— ab·bre·vi·a·tor \-ˌā-tər\ noun