abbreviatory

[ uh-bree-vee-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]

adjective

1. serving to abbreviate or shorten:

   “IA” is an abbreviatory form of “Iowa.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of abbreviatory¹

First recorded in 1840–50; abbreviate + -ory ¹

Example Sentences

For what is there more prompt, more unexpected, more abbreviatory of space and time, than the maturity of an obligation?

From Project Gutenberg

An abbreviatory sign having been attached to each of these constellations, the great celestial belt containing them was called "the wheel of the signs," or "a wheel in the middle of a wheel," as designated by that old Astrologer, Ezekiel the Prophet, in chap. i. and 16th verse.

From Project Gutenberg