Abbreviation

What is an abbreviation?

An abbreviation is a shortened word used mainly in writing to represent the complete form.

List of commonly used abbreviations

• A.D. = anno Domini, "in the year of the Lord"
• A.M. = Ante Meridiem, "before midday"
• cf. = confer, "bring together" and hence "compare"
• B.A. = Bachelor of Arts
• B.S. - Bachelor of Science
• M.A. = Magister Artium, Master of Arts
• e.g. = exempli gratia, 'for example'
• et al. = et alii, "and others", "and co-workers"
• etc. = et cetera, "and the others", "and other things", "and the rest"
• i.a. = inter alia, "among other things".
• ibid. = ibidem, "in the same place (book, etc.)"
• i.e. = id est, 'that is'
• id. = idem, "the same (man)"
• N.B. = nota bene, "note well"
• Ph. D. = Philosophiæ Doctor, "Teacher of Philosophy"
• P.M. = Post Meridiem, "after midday"
• S.O.S. = si opus sit, "if there is need", "if occasion require", "if necessary"
• vs. = versus, "against"