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