initialism

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in·i·tial·ism (

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An abbreviation consisting of the first letter or letters of words in a phrase (for example, IRS for Internal Revenue Service), syllables or components of a word (TNT for trinitrotoluene), or a combination of words and syllables (ESP for extrasensory perception) and pronounced by spelling out the letters one by one rather than as a solid word.

initialism, alphabetism, acronym - Initialisms (sometimes called alphabetisms) are formed from the initial letters of a string of words and are pronounced as a sequence of letters, e.g. BYOB, USA, DVD. Acronyms are formed from the initial letters or parts of words in a sequence, but have the distinction of being pronounceable words, e.g. RADAR, SCUBA.

See also related terms for sequence.

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acronym alphabetism sequence			Malcolm and Angus Young developed the idea for the band's name after seeing the initialism "AC/DC" on a vacuum cleaner. The life of Brian Johnson.. by Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England) Acronyms or initialisms Although the name National Widget Association likely would be considered merely descriptive, it is unlikely that the same conclusion would be reached with regard to the initialism NWA. Protecting your association's good name by Jacobs, Jerald A. / Association Management			initial approach initial approach area initial assessment initial contact report initial draft plan initial early resupply initial entry into Military Service initial issues initial offering initial operational capability initial path sweeping initial photo interpretation report initial point initial programmed interpretation report initial provisioning initial public offering initial radiation initial reserves initial response force initial rhyme initial teaching alphabet initial unloading period Initial velocity initialisation initialise initialism initialization initialize initially initials initiate Initiate tenant by courtesy initiating directive initiation initiation ceremony initiation of procurement action initiation rite initiative initiator initiatory Inition inject injectable injectant injection Injection cock Injection condenser injection molding Injection pipe injection well injector			Initial/Integrated Stock List initialed initialed initialed initialed Initialia testimonii initialing initialing initialing initialing Initialing Outfitting Directive initialisation initialisation initialisation Initialisation vector initialisations initialisations initialisations initialise initialise initialise initialised initialised initialised initialises initialises initialises initialising initialising initialising initialism Initialisms initialization initialization initialization initialization Initialization & Administration System Initialization and Refresh Initialization Capability Initialization Command Word Initialization file initialization string Initialization vector Initialization vector Initialization Working Group initializations initializations initializations initialize initialize initialize initialize Initialize & Checkout Initialize and Load Computer Program Initialize/Initialization/Configuration file initialized initialized initialized initializer initializer initializer

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initialism