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Having one part relatively shorter than another or than the ordinary type.

o which a word or phrase is reduced by contraction and omission; a letter or letters, standing for a word or phrase of which they are a part; as, Gen. for Genesis; U.S.A. for United States of America.

Serving or tending to abbreviate; shortening; abridging.

ust, duty, right, etc. He abdicates all right to be his own governor. Burke. The understanding abdicates its functions. Froude.

Having the quality of hiding. [R.] Bailey.

A place for hiding or preserving articles of value. Cowell.

A group including the greater part of fresh-water fishes, and many marine ones, having the ventral fins under the abdomen behind the pectorals.

To draw away, as a limb or other part, from its ordinary position.

Deviating from the ordinary or natural type; exceptional; abnormal. The more aberrant any form is, the greater must have been the number of connecting forms which, on my theory, have been exterminated. Darwin.

A weeding machine.

The first month of the Jewish ecclesiastical year, corresponding nearly to our April. After the Babylonish captivity this month was called Nisan. Kitto.

The state of abiding; abode; continuance; compliance (with). The Christians had no longer abidance in the holy hill of Palestine. Fuller. A judicious abidance by rules. Helps.

to maintain. The poor fellow was obstinate enough to abide by what he said at first. Fielding.

l, resources, etc.; -- in the plural, faculty, talent. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren. Acts xi. 29. Natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study. Bacon. The public men of England, with much of a peculiar kind of ability. Macau…

The substitution of one root vowel for another, thus indicating a corresponding modification of use or meaning; vowel permutation; as, get, gat, got; sing, song; hang, hung. Earle.

nt commissions in foreign countries, one of his duties being to bring to a newly named cardinal his insignia of office.

The act of sending abroad. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.

Departure from the ordinary type; irregularity; monstrosity. "An abnormity . . . like a calf born with two heads." Mrs. Whitney.

An omen; a portending. [Obs.]

Stay or continuance in a place; sojourn. He waxeth at your abode here. Fielding.