Encyclopædia Britannica, Ninth Edition/Abbreviation

Abbreviation, a letter or group of letters, taken from a word or words, and employed to represent them for the sake of brevity. Abbreviations, both of single words and of phrases, having a meaning more or less fixed and recognised, are common in ancient writings and inscriptions, and very many are in use at the present time. A distinction is to be observed between abbreviations and the contractions that are frequently to be met with in old manuscripts, and even in early printed books, whereby letters are dropped out here and there, or particular collocations of letters represented by somewhat arbitrary symbols. The commonest form of abbreviation is the substitution for a word of its initial letter; but, with a view to prevent ambiguity, one or more of the other letters are frequently added. Letters are often doubled to indicate a plural or a superlative.

I. Classical Abbreviations.—The following list contains a selection from the abbreviations that occur in the writings and inscriptions of the Romans:—

A.
A.
Absolvo, Ædilis, Æs, Ager, Ago, Aio, Amicus, Annus, Antiquo, Auctor, Auditor, Augustus, Aulus, Aurum, Aut.
A.A.
AA.
AugustiAAA.  Augusti tres.
A.A.V.
A.C.
Acta causa, Alius civis.
A.D.
Ante diem; e.g., A.D.V. Ante diem quintum.
A.D.A.
ÆD.
Ædes, Ædilis, Ædilitas.
ÆM. and AIM.Æmilius, Æmilia.
ÆR.
Ærarium.ÆR.P.  Ære publico.
A.F.
AG.
Ager, Ago, Agrippa.
A.G.
Animo grato, Aulus Gellius.
A.L.M. and A.L.E.Arbitrium litis æstimandæ.
A.M. and A.MILL.Ad milliarium.
AN.
ANN.
ANT.
Ante, Antonius.
A.O.
AP.
Appius, Apud.
A.P.
Ad pedes, Ædilitia potestate.
A.P.F.
Auro (or argento) publico feriundo.
A.P.M.
A.P.R.C.
ARG.
Argentum.
AT.
A tergo. Also A TE. and A TER.
A.T.M.D.O.Aio te mihi dare opertere.
AV.
Augur, Augustus, Aurelius.
A.V.
A.V.C.
AVG.
Augur, Augustus.
AVGG.
Augusti (generally of two).AVGGG.  Augusti tres.
B.
B.
Balbius, Balbus, Beatus, Bene, Beneficiarius, Beneficium, Bonus, Brutus, Bustum.
B. for V.Berna, Bivus, Bixit.
B.A.
BB. or B.B.Bene bene, i.e., optima, Optimus.
B.D.
B.DD.
B.D.S.M.Bene de se merenti.
B.F.
B.H.
B.I.
Bonum judicium.B.I.I.  Boni judicis judicium.
B.M.
B.N.
BN.H.I.
B.P.
B.Q.
B.RP.N.
Bono reipublicæ natus.
BRT.
Britannicus.
B.T.
Bonorum tutor, Brevi tempore.
B.V.
B.V.V.
Balnea vina Venus.
BX.
Bixit, for vixit.
C.
C.
Cæsar, Caius, Caput, Causa, Censor, Civis, Cohors, Colonia, Comitialis (dies), Condemno, Consul, Cum, Curo, Custos.
.
Caia, Centuria, Cum, the prefix Con.
C.B.
C.C.
C.C.C.
C.C.F.
Cæsar (or Caius) curavit faciendum, Caius Caii filius.
CC.VV.
C.D.
Cæsaris decreto, Caius Decius, Comitialibus diebus.
CES.
Censor, Censores.CESS.  Censores.
C.F.
C.H.
C.I.
Caius Julius, Consul jussit, Curavit judex.
CL.
Clarissimus, Claudius, Clodius, Colonia.
CL.V.
C.M.
Caius Marius, Causa mortis.
CN.
Cnæus.
COH.
Coheres, Cohors.
COL.
Collega, Collegium, Colonia, Columna.
COLL.
Collega, Coloni, Coloniæ.
COM.
Comes, Comitium, Comparatum.
CON.
Conjux, Consensus, Consiliarius, Consul, Consularis.
COR.
Cornelia (tribus), Cornelius, Corona, Corpus.
COS.
Consiliarius, Consul, Consulares.COSS.  Consules.
C.P.
C.R.
Caius Rufus, Civis Romanus, Curavit reficiendum.
CS.
Cæsar, Communis, Consul.
C.V.
Clarissimus or consularis vir.
CVR.
Cura, Curator, Curavit, Curia.
D.
D.
Dat, Dedit, &c., De, Decimus, Decius, Decretum, Decurio, Deus, Dicit, &c., Dies, Divus, Dominus, Domus, Donum.
D.C.
Decurio coloniæ, Diebus comitialibus, Divus Cæsar.
D.D.
Dea Dia, Decurionum decreto, Dedicavit, Deo dedit, Dono dedit.
D.D.D.
D.E.R.
DES.
D.I.
D.I.M.
Deo invicto Mithræ, Diis inferis Manibus.
D.M.
Deo Magno, Dignus memoria, Diis Manibus, Dolo malo.
D.O.M.
D.P.S.
Dedit proprio sumptu, Deo perpetuo sacrum, De pecunia sua.
E.
E.
EG.
E.M.
EQ.M.
E.R.A.
F.
F.
Fabius, Facere, Fecit, &c., Familia, Fastus (dies), Felix, Femina, Fides, Filius, Flamen, Fortuna, Frater, Fuit, Functus.
F.C.
F.D.
Fidem dedit, Flamen Dialis, Fraude donavit.
F.F.F.
FL.
Filius, Flamen, Flaminius, Flavius.
F.L.
FR.
F.R.
Forum Romanum.
G.
G.
Gaius (= Caius), Gallia, Gaudium, Gellius, Gemina, Gens, Gesta, Gratia.
G.F.
Gemina fidelis (applied to a legion). So G.F.F. Gemina pia fidelis.
GL.
Gloria.
GN.
Genius, Gens, Genus, Gnæus (= Cnæus).
G.P.R.
Genio populi Romani.
H.
H.
Habet, Heres, Hic, Homo, Honor, Hora.
HER.
Heres, Herennius.HER. and HERC.  Hercules.
H.L.
H.M.
H.S.E.
H.V.
I.
I.
Immortalis, Imperator, In, Infra, Inter, Invictus, Ipse, Isis, Judex, Julius, Junius, Jupiter, Justus.
IA.
I.C.
Julius Cæsar, Juris Consultum, Jus civile.
ID.
Idem, Idus, Interdum.
I.D.
I.D.M.
Jovi deo magno.
I.F.
I.H.
IM.
IMP.
I.O.M.
I.P,
I.S.V.P.
K.
K.
Kæso, Caia, Calumnia, Caput, Carus, Castra.
K., KAL., and KL.Kalendæ.
L.
L.
Lælius, Legio, Lex, Libens, Liber, Libra, Locus, Lollius, Lucius, Ludus.
LB.
Libens, Liberi, Libertus.
L.D.D.D.Locus datus decreto decurionum.
LEG.
Legatus, Legio.
LIB.
Liber, Liberalitas, Libertas, Libertus, Librarius.
LL.
Leges, Libentissime, Liberti.
L.M.
L.S.
Laribus sacrum, Libens solvit, Locus sacer.
LVD.
Ludus.
L.V.P.F.
M.
M.
Magister, Magistratus, Magnus, Manes, Marcus, Marius, Marti, Mater, Memoria, Mensis, Miles, Monumentum, Mortuus, Mucius, Mulier.
M'.
Manius.
M.D.
MES.
Mensis.MESS.  Menses.
M.F.
M.I.
Matri Idaeæ, Matri Isidi, Maximo Jovi.
MNT. and MON.Moneta.
M.P.
M.S.
Manibus sacrum, Memoriæ sacrum, Manuscriptum.
MVN.
Municeps, or municipium; so also MN., MV., and MVNIC.
M.V.S.
Marti ultori sacrum, Merito votum solvit.
N.
N.
Natio, Natus, Nefastus (dies), Nepos, Neptunus, Nero, Nomen, Non, Nonæ, Noster, Novus, Numen, Numerius, Numerus, Nummus.
NEP.
Nepos, Neptunus.
N.F.C.
N.L.
N.M.V.
NN.
Nostri.NN., NNO., and NNR.  Nostrorum.
NOB.
Nobilis.NOB., NOBR., and NOV.  Novembris.
N.P.
O.
O.
Ob, Officium, Omnis, Oportet, Optimus, Opus, Ossa.
OB.
Obiit, Obiter, Orbis.
O.C.S.
O.H.F.
O.H.S.S.
Ossa hic sita sunt.
OR.
Hora, Ordo, Ornamentum.
O.T.B.Q.
P.
P.
Pars, Passus, Pater, Patronus, Pax, Perpetuus, Pes, Pius, Plebs, Pondo, Populus, Post, Posuit, Præses, Prætor, Primus, Pro, Provincia, Publicus, Publius, Puer.
P.C.
Pactum conventum, Patres conscripti, Pecunia constituta, Ponendum curavit, Postconsulatum, Potestate censoria.
P.F.
P.M.
Piæ memoriæ, Plus minus, Pontifex maximus.
P.P.
Pater patratus, Pater patriæ, Pecunia publica, Præpositus, Primipilus, Proprætor.
PR.
Præses, Prætor, Pridie, Princeps.
P.R.
Permissu reipublicæ, Populus Romanus.
P.R.C.
PR.PR.
Præfectus prætorii, Proprætor.
P.S.
P.V.
Pia victrix, Præfectus urbi, Præstantissimus vir.
Q.
Q.
Quæstor, Quando, Quantus, Que, Qui, Quinquennalis, Quintus, Quirites.
Q.D.R.
Q.I.S.S.
Quæ infra scripta sunt; so Q.S.S.S. Quæ supra, &c.
QQ.
Q.R.
Quæstor reipublicæ.
R.
R.
Recte, Res, Respublica, Retro, Rex, Ripa, Roma, Romanus, Rufus, Rursus.
R.C.
Romana civitas, Romanus civis.
RESP. and RP.Respublica.
RET. P. and RP.Retro pedes.
S.
S.
Sacrum, Scriptus, Semis, Senatus, Sepultus, Servius, Servus, Sextus, Sibi, Sine, Situs, Solus, Solvit, Sub, Suus.
SAC.
Sacerdos, Sacrificium, Sacrum.
S.C.
Senatus consultum.
S.D.
Sacrum diis, Salutem dicit, Senatus decreto, Sententiam dedit.
S.D.M.
Sacrum diis Manibus, Sine dolo malo.
SER.
Servius, Servus.
S.E.T.L.
SN.
Senatus, Sententia, Sine.
S.P.
Sacerdos perpetua, Sine pecunia, Sua pecunia.
S.P.Q.R.
Senatus populusque Romanus.
S.S.
Sanctissimus senatus, Supra scriptum.
S.V.B.E.E.Q.V.Si vales bene est, ego quidem valeo.
T.
T.
TB., TI., and TIB.Tiberius.
TB., TR., and TRB.Tribunus.
T.F.
Testamentum fecit, Titi filius, Titulum fecit, Titus Flavius.
TM.
T.P.
TVL.
Tullius, Tullus.
V.
V.
Urbs, Usus, Uxor, Vale, Verba, Vestalis, Vester, Vir, Vivus, Vixit, Volo, Votum.
V.A.
V.C.
Vale conjux, Vir clarissimus, Vir consularis.
V.E.
V.F.
Usus fructus, Verba fecit, Vivus fecit.
V.P.
Urbis præfectus, Vir perfectissimus, Vivus posuit.
V.R.
Urbs Roma, Uti rogas, Votum reddidit.

II. Mediæval Abbreviations.—Of the different kinds of abbreviations in use in the middle ages, the following are examples:—


A.M.
Ave Maria.
B.P.
Beatus Paulus, Beatus Petrus.
CC.
Carissimus (also plur. Carissimi), Clarissimus, Circum.
D.
Deus, Dominicus, Dux.
D.N.PP.
Dominus noster Papa.
FF.
Felicissimus, Fratres, Pandectæ (prob. for Gr. π).
I.C. or I.X.Jesus Christus.
I.D.N.
In Dei nomine.
KK.
Karissimus (or -mi).
MM.
Magistri, Martyres, Matrimonium, Meritissimus.
O.S.B.
Ordinis Sancti Benedicti.
PP.
Papa, Patres, Piissimus.
R.F.
Rex Francorum.
R.P.D.
Reverendissimus Pater Dominus.
S.C.M.
S.M.E.
Sancta Mater Ecclesia.
S.M.M.
Sancta Mater Maria.
S.R.I.
S.V.
Sanctitas Vestra, Sancta Virgo.
V.
Venerabilis, Venerandus.
V.R.P.
Vestra Reverendissima Paternitas.


III. Abbreviations now in use.—The import of these will often be readily understood from the connection in which they occur. There is no occasion to explain here the common abbreviations used for Christian names, books of Scripture, months of the year, points of the compass, grammatical and mathematical terms, or familiar titles, like “Mr,” &c.

The ordinary abbreviations, now or recently in use, may be conveniently classified under the following headings:—


1. Abbreviated Titles and Designations.


A.A.
Associate of Arts.
A.B.
Able-bodied seaman.
A.M.
(Artium Magister), Master of Arts.
A.R.A.
Associate of the Royal Academy.
A.R.S.A.Associate of the Royal Scottish Academy.
B.A.
Bachelor of Arts.
B.C.L.
Bachelor of Civil Law.
B.D.
Bachelor of Divinity.
B.LL.
Bachelor of Laws.
B.Sc.
Bachelor of Science.
C.
Chairman.
C.A.
Chartered Accountant.
C.B.
Companion of the Bath.
C.E.
Civil Engineer.
C.M.
(Chirurgiæ Magister), Master in Surgery.
C.M.G.
Companion of St Michael and St George.
C.S.I.
Companion of the Star of India.
D.C.L.
Doctor of Civil Law.
D.D.
Doctor of Divinity.
D.Lit.
Doctor of Literature.
D.M.
Doctor of Medicine [Oxford].
D.Sc.
Doctor of Science.
Ebor.
(Eboracensis), of York.[2]
F.C.S.
Fellow of the Chemical Society.
F.D.
F.F.P.S.
Fellow of the Faculty of Physicians & Surgeons [Glasgow.]
F.G.S.
Fellow of the Geological Society.
F.K.Q.C.P.I.Fellow of King and Queen's College of Physicians in Ireland.
F.L.S.
Fellow of the Linnæan Society.
F.M.
Field Marshal.
F.P.S.
Fellow of the Philological Society.
F.R.A.S.
Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society.
F.R.C.P.
Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians.
F.R.C.P.E.Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.
F.R.C.S.
Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons.
F.R.G.S.
Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.
F.R.S.
Fellow of the Royal Society.
F.R.S.E.
Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
F.R.S.L.
Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.
F.S.A.
Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries.
F.S.S.
Fellow of the Statistical Society.
F.Z.S.
Fellow of the Zoological Society.
G.C.B.
Knight Grand Cross of the Bath.
G.C.H.
Knight Grand Cross of Hanover.
G.C.M.G.Knight Grand Cross of St Michael and St George.
G.C.S.I.
Knight Grand Commander of the Star of India.
H.R.H.
His (or Her) Royal Highness.
J.P.
Justice of the Peace.
J.U.D.
(Juris utriusque Doctor), Doctor of Civil and Canon Law.
K.C.S.I.
Knight Commander of the Star of India.
K.C.B.
Knight Commander of the Bath.
K.G.
Knight of the Garter.
K.P.
Knight of St Patrick.
K.T.
Knight of the Thistle.
L.A.H.
Licentiate of the Apothecaries' Hall.
L.C.J.
Lord Chief Justice.
LL.B.
LL.D.
(Legum Doctor), Doctor of Laws.
LL.M.
(Legum Magister), Master of Laws.
L.R.C.P.Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians.
L.R.C.S.Licentiate of the Royal College of Surgeons.
L.S.A.
Licentiate of the Apothecaries' Society.
M.A.
Master of Arts.
M.B.
M.C.
Member of Congress.
M.D.
(Medicinæ Doctor), Doctor of Medicine.
M.P.
Member of Parliament.
M.R.C.P.Member of the Royal College of Physicians.
M.R.I.A.Member of the Royal Irish Academy.
Mus. B.
Bachelor of Music.
Mus. D.
Doctor of Music.
N.P.
Notary Public.
P.C.
Privy Councillor.
Ph.D.
(Philosophiæ Doctor), Doctor of Philosophy.
P.P.
Parish Priest.
P.R.A.
President of the Royal Academy.
Q.C.
Queen's Counsel.
R.
(Rex, Regina), King, Queen.
R.A.
Royal Academician. Royal Artillery.
R.A.M.
Royal Academy of Music.
R.E.
Royal Engineers.
Reg. Prof.Regius Professor.
R.M.
Royal Marines.
R.N.
Royal Navy.
S. or St.
S.S.C.
Solicitor before the Supreme Courts [of Scotland].
S.T.P.
(Sacrosanctæ Theologiæ Professor), Professor of Sacred Theology.
V.C.
Vice-Chancellor. Victoria Cross.
V.G.
Vicar-General.
V.S.
Veterinary Surgeon.
W.S.
Writer to the Signet [in Scotland]. Equivalent to Attorney.

2. Abbreviations denoting Monies, Weights, and Measures:—[3]

ac.
L.,[4] £,[4] or I.(libra), pound (money).
bar.
barrel.
lb. or ℔.(libra), pound (weight).
bus.
bushel.
m. or mi.mile; minute.
c.
cent.
.
minim.
c. (or cub.) ft. &c.cubic foot, &c.
mo.
cwt.
hundredweight.
na.
nail.
d.
(denarius), penny.
oz.
ounce.
deg.
degree.
pk.
peck.
dr.
drachm or dram.
po.
pole.
dwt.
pennyweight.
pt.
pint.
f.
franc.
q.
(quadrans), farthing.
fl.
florin.
qr.
quarter.
ft. qt.
quart.
fur.
furlong.
ro.
gal. Rs.[4]
rupees.
gr.
grain.
s. or /
(solidus), shilling.
h. or hr.hour.
s. or sec.second.
hhd.
hogshead.
sc. or scr.scruple.
in.
sq. ft. &c.square foot, &c.
kilo.
kilometre.
st.
stone.
yd.


3. Miscellaneous Abbreviations.


A.
Accepted.
A.C.
acc., a/c., or acct.Account.
A.D.
Æt. or Ætat.(Ætatis [anno]), In the year of his age.
A.H.
A.M.
A.M.
(Ante meridiem), Forenoon.
Anon.
Anonymous.
A.U.C.
B.C.
C. or Cap. (Caput), Chapter.
C.
cent.[6]
(Centum), A hundred, frequently £100.
Cf.
(Confer), Compare.
Ch. or Chap.Chapter.
Co.
Company. County.
Cr.
Creditor.
curt.
Current, the present month.
D.G.
(Dei gratia), By the grace of God.
Do.
Ditto, the same.
D.O.M.(Deo Optimo Maximo), To God the Best and Greatest.
Dr.
D.V.
(Deo volente), God willing.
e.g.
(Exempli gratia), For example.
ect. or &c.(Et cætera), And the rest; and so forth.
Ex.
Example.
Fec.
(Fecit), He made (or did) it.
fl.
Flourished.
Fo. or Fol.Folio.
f.o.b.
Free on board.
G.P.O.
General Post Office.
H.M.S.
Her Majesty's Ship.
Ib. or Ibid.(Ibidem), In the same place.
Id.
(Idem), The same.
i.e.
(Id est), That is.
I.H.S.
(Jesus Hominum Salvator), Jesus the Saviour of men.
Inf.
(Infra), Below.
inst.
Instant, the present month.
I.O.U.
I owe you.
i.q.
(Idem quod), The same as.
κ.τ.λ.
(καὶ τὰ λοιπά), Et cætera, and the rest.
L. or Lib.(Liber), Book.
Lat.
l.c.
(Loco citato), In the place cited.
Lon. or Long.Longitude.
L.S.
(Locus sigilli), The place of the seal.
Mem.
(Memento), Remember, Memorandum.
MS.
Manuscript.MSS.  Manuscripts.
N.B.
(Nota bene), Mark well; take notice.
N.B.
North Britain (i.e., Scotland).
N.D.
No date.
nem. con.(Nemine contradicente), No one contradicting.
No.
(Numero), Number.
N.S.
New Style.
N.T.
New Testament.
ob.
(Obiit), Died.
Obs.
Obsolete.
O.H.M.S.On Her Majesty's Service.
O.S.
Old Style.
O.T.
Old Testament.
P.
Page.Pp.  Pages.
(Per), For; e.g.,  Ib., For one pound.
Pinx.
(Pinxit), He painted it.
P.M.
(Post meridiem), Afternoon.
P.O.
Post Office.P.O.O.  Post Office Order.
P.P.C.
(Pour prendre congé), To take leave.
P.R.
Prize-ring.
prox.
(Proximo [mense]), Next month.
P.S.
Postscript.
Pt.
Part.
p.t. or pro. tem.(Pro tempore), For the time.
P.T.O.
Please turn over.
Q., Qu., or Qy.Query; Question.
q.d.
(Quasi dicat), As if he should say; as much as to say.
Q.E.D.
(Quod erat demonstrandum), which was to be demonstrated.
Q.E.F.
(Quod erat faciendum), which was to be done.
q.s. or quant. suff.(Quantum sufficit), As much as is sufficient.
q.v.
(Quod vide), Which see.
R. or ℞.(Recipe), Take.
(= r. for radix), the sign of the square root.
R.I.P.
(Requiescat in pace!), May he rest in peace!
sc.
(Scilicet), Namely; that is to say.
Sc. or Sculp.(Sculpsit), He engraved it.
S.D.U.K.Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge.
seq. or sq., seqq. or sqq.(Sequens, sequentia), The following.
s.p.
(Sine prole), Without offspring.
S.P.G.
Society for the Propagation of the Gospel.
Sup.
(Supra), Above.
s.v.
(Sub voce), Under the word (or heading).
T.C.D.
Trinity College, Dublin.
ult.
(Ultimo [mense]), Last month.
U.S.
v.
(Versus), Against.
v. or vid.(Vide), See.
viz.
(Videlicet), Namely.
V.R.
(Victoria Regina), Victoria the Queen.
Xmas.
Christmas [This X is a Greek letter, corresponding to Ch].

(See Grævius's Thesaurus Antiquitatum, 1694, sqq.; Nicolai's Tractatus de Siglis Veterum; Mommsen's Corpus Inscriptionum Latinarum, 1863, sqq.; Natalis de Wailly's Paléographie, Paris, 1838; Alph. Chassant's Paléographie, 1854, and Doctionnaire des Abréviations, 3d ed., 1866. A manual of the abbreviations in current use is a desideratum.)

  1. Describing the function of the triumviri monetales.
  2. An archbishop or bishop, in writing his signature, substitutes for his surname the name of his see; thus the prelates of Canterbury, York, Oxford, London, &c., subscribe themselves A. C. Cantuar., W. Ebor., J. F. Oxon., J. London, &c.
  3. Characters, not properly abbreviations, are used in the same way; e.g., ° ' " for "degrees, minutes, seconds," (circular measure) ℥, ℨ, ℈ for "ounces, drachms, scruples." ℥ is probably to be traced to the written form of the z in "oz"
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 These forms (as well as $, the symbol for the American dollar) are placed before their amounts.
  5. It is given to Austria to rule the whole earth. The device of Austria, first adopted by Frederick III.
  6. "Per cent." is often signified by %, a form traceable to "100."