Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Abbreviation
Ab-breˊvi-a′tion
,Noun.
[LL.
abbreviatio
: cf. F. abbréviation
.] 1.
The act of shortening, or reducing.
2.
The result of abbreviating; an abridgment.
Tylor.
3.
The form to which a word or phrase is reduced by contraction and omission; a letter or letters, standing for a word or phrase of which they are a part; as, Gen. for Genesis; U.S.A. for United States of America.
4.
(Mus.)
One dash, or more, through the stem of a note, dividing it respectively into quavers, semiquavers, or demi-semiquavers.
Moore.
Webster 1828 Edition
Abbreviation
ABBREVIA'TION
,Noun.
1.
The act of shortening or contracting.2.
A letter or a few letters used for a word; as Gen. for Genesis; U.S.A. for United States of America.3.
The reduction of fractions to the lowest terms.