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

'abbreviatorius' transformed into the Medieval Latin word 'abbreviatorius,' and eventually became the modern English word 'abbreviatory.'

Initially, it meant 'to shorten or make brief,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.