abbreviature

plural abbreviatures

1. countableuncountableAn abridgment; a compendium; an abstract.First known use since the late 16th century

   This is an excellent abbreviature of the whole duty of a Christian.

   a. 1667, Jeremy Taylor, Via Pacis

2. countableobsoleteuncountableAn abbreviated state or form.First known use only during the early to mid 17th century
3. countableuncountableA shortened form of a word or phrase, used in place of the whole; an abbreviation.First known use since the mid 17th century

   The hand of PROVIDENCE writes often by abbreviatures, hieroglyphicks or short characters […]

   1716, Thomas Browne, edited by Samuel Johnson, Christian Morals, 2nd edition, London: J. Payne, published 1756, Part I, p. 37

4. countableobsoleteuncountableThe process of abbreviating.First known use only during the early to late 17th century