'abbreviation' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'abbreviatio', where 'ab-' meant 'away' and 'breviare' meant 'to shorten'.

'abbreviatio' transformed into the Old French word 'abbreviation', and eventually became the modern English word 'abbreviation'.

Initially, it meant 'to shorten or reduce', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a shortened form of a word or phrase'.