abbreviature

The story

1. Late Latin · derived fromabbreviō“shorten, abbreviate”
2. Medieval Latin · derived fromabbreviātūra
3. English todayabbreviature

From Medieval Latin abbreviātūra, from Late Latin abbreviō (“shorten, abbreviate”). See also abbreviate.

First known use, by meaning

• since the late 16th century An abridgment; a compendium; an abstract.
• only during the early to mid 17th century An abbreviated state or form.
• since the mid 17th century A shortened form of a word or phrase, used in place of the whole; an abbreviation.
• only during the early to late 17th century The process of abbreviating.