ab•bre•vi•ate^*əˈbri viˌeɪt(v.)-at•ed, -at•ing.

1. (v.t.)to shorten (a word or phrase) by omitting letters, substituting shorter forms, etc., so that the shortened form can represent the whole word or phrase.

2. to reduce in length, duration, etc.; make briefer:

   to abbreviate a speech.

3. (v.i.)to use abbreviations.

^* Syn: See shorten.

Origin of abbreviate:

1400–50; late ME < ML abbreviātus, ptp. of abbreviāre to shorten = L ad-ad - +-breviāre, v. der. of brevis short

ab•bre′vi•a•to`ry-vi əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i(adj.)