Library / English Dictionary

ABBREVIATE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Shorten

Example:

Abbreviate 'New York' and write 'NY'

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "abbreviate" is one way to...):

reduce (make less complex)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

abbreviation (a shortened form of a word or phrase)

abbreviator (one who shortens or abridges or condenses a written work)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Reduce in scope while retaining essential elements

Example:

The manuscript must be shortened

Synonyms:

abbreviate; abridge; contract; cut; foreshorten; reduce; shorten

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "abbreviate" is one way to...):

decrease; lessen; minify (make smaller)

Verb group:

cut; edit; edit out (cut and assemble the components of)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "abbreviate"):

bowdlerise; bowdlerize; castrate; expurgate; shorten (edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate)

concentrate; condense; digest (make more concise)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

abbreviator (one who shortens or abridges or condenses a written work)

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