A Dictionary Of Abbreviations

Published in 2001: Abbreviations, nicknames, jargon, and other short forms save time, space, and effort - provided they are understood. Thousands of new and potentially confusing terms become part of the international vocabulary each year, while our communications are relayed to one another with increasing speed. PDAs link to PCs. The Net has grown into data central, shopping mall, and grocery store all rolled into one. E-mail is faster than snail mail, cell phones are faster yet - and it is all done 24/7. Longtime and widespread use of certain abbreviations, such as R.S.V.P., has made them better understood standing alone than spelled out. Certainly we are more comfortable saying DNA than deoxyribonucleic acid - but how many people today really remember what the initials stand for? The Abbreviations Dictionary, Tenth Edition gives you this and other information from Airlines of the World to the Zodiacal Signs.

Like it or not, abbreviations and acronyms are now an essential ingredient of everyday life. Since the first edition of The Wordsworth Dictionary of Abbreviations & Acronyms was published in mid-1997, the compilers have been diligently collecting further examples from many walks of life

This essential reference enables users to break through all the mysteries of abbreviated American English words and phrases. The guide concentrates on acronyms and initialisms found in common work and learning situations and covers 2,100 shortened words used in American English.

Designed for practitioners, students, and librarians, this accessible, easy-to-use dictionary provides definitions for over 4,000 abbreviations and acronyms, with numerous expanded entries providing both definition and further explanation. Wide-ranging in scope and up-to-date in coverage, topics include: * International and national institutions * Qualifications * Regulatory bodies * Trade unions and trade associations * Currencies * General abbreviations used in the financial world, and more This valuable resource is a vital addition for all ready-reference and business collections.

Provides the meanings of more than 13,000 acronyms, and abbreviations.