A Dictionary of the Art of Printing

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Abbreviations

“Abbreviations are characters, or else marks on letters, to signify either a word or syllable. & is the character for and, y^e is the abbreviated, y^t is that abbreviated; and several other such. Straight strokes over any of the vowels abbreviate m or n. They have been much used by printers in old times, to shorten or get in matter; but now are wholly left off as obsolete.” — Moxon.

In reprints of old books, where the original is closely followed, we occasionally meet with q, as an abbreviation of que: this mark of contraction for ue was attached to the , and was originally used solely for that purpose; for the convenience of using the q without it, the abbreviation was afterwards cast separate, and by degrees it was adopted as a point or stop to divide a sentence, becoming the semicolon, the next in order to the comma.

Some few authors yet retain the ; after a q, for the termination ue, which appears to be the proper mark.

Abbreviations “occur very frequently, and are often the occasion of perplexity to readers less familiarly acquainted with them, in the early-printed books. These also originated from the idea which the first Printers entertained of making their books as much as possible resemble manuscripts. That they should perpetually occur in manuscripts is natural enough; for the librarii, or writers of manuscripts, necessarily had recourse to them to shorten their labours. These abbreviations, in the infancy of Printing, were perhaps to be excused; but it seems they multiplied to so preposterous an extent that it was found necessary to publish a book, both in the Gothic and Roman character, to explain their meaning.” — Beloe's Anecdotes of Literature, &c. See Domesday Book. Records. Sigla.

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A

A. — Aulus.
A. B. — Artium Baccalaureus. Bachelor of Arts.
Abp. — Archbishop.
A. C. — Ante Christum. Before the Birth of Christ.
A. C. — Arch-Chancellor.
A. D. — Anno Domini. In the year of our Lord.
A. D. — Ante Diem.
A. D. — Arch-Duke.
Adra. — Admiralty.
Adm. Co. — Admiralty Court.
Adm^rs — Administrators.
Adm^ors — Ditto
A.H. — The Year of the Hegira.
A. M. — Artium Magister. Master of Arts.
A. M. — Anno Mundi. In the Year of the World.
A. M. — Ante Meridiem. Before Noon.
An. A. C. — Anno ante Christum. In the Year before Christ.
Ana. — Of each a like Quantity.
Anon. — Anonymous.
A. P. G.— Professor of Astronomy in Gresham College.
A. R. Anno Regni. — In the Year of the Reign.
A. R. R. — Anno Regni Regis. In the Year of the Reign of the King.
Ast. P. G. — Astronomy Professor in Gresham College.
A.T. — Arch-Treasurer.
A. U. C. — Ab Urbe condita. From the building of the City.
Aug. — Augustus.

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B

B. et L. D. — Duke of Brunswick and Lüneburg.
B. A. — Artium Baccalaureus. Bachelor of Arts.
Bart. — Baronet.
B. C.— Before Christ.
B. C. L. — Bachelor of Civil Law.
B. D. — Baccalaureus Divinitatis. Bachelor of Divinity.
B. M. — Baccalaureus Medicinae. Bachelor of Medicine.
Bp. — Bishop.
B. B. — Banco Regis. The King's Bench.
Brit. Mus. — British Museum.
Bt. — Baronet.
B. V. — Blessed Virgin.
B. v. — Bene Vale. Farewell.

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C

C. — Caius,
c. — Caput. Chapter.
Caes. Aug. — Caesar Augustus.
Cal. — Calendis. The first Day of the Month.
Cal. Rot. Pat. — Calendarium Rotulorum Patentium. Calendar of the Patent rolls.
Cap. — Capitulum. Chapter.
C. B. — Companion of the Bath.
C. C. — Caius College.
C. C. C — Corpus Christi College.
ca. sa. — Capias ad satisfaciendum.
cf. — Confer. Compare.
Chart. Max. — Large Paper.
Cic. — Cicero.
Civ. — Civitas.
C. J. C. — Caius Julius Caesar.
Cl. — Clarus. The celebrated.
Cl. — Claudius.
Cl. Dom. Com. — Clerk of the House of Commons.
Clk. — Clerk, a Clergyman.
Cn. — Cneius.
Coh. — Cohors.
Col. — Collega, Collegium.
C. O. S. S Consulibus. To the Consuls, or, From the Consuls, or, By the Consuls. Being Consuls, or, During the Consulate.
C. P. — Common Pleas.
C.P.S. — Custos Privati Sigilli. Keeper of the Privy Seal.
C. R. — Custos Rotulorum. Keeper of the Rolls.
C. R. — Civis Romanus.
Cr. — Creditor.
C. S. — Custos Sigilli. Keeper of the Seal.

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D

D. — Decimus.
D. B.; Domesd. B. — Domesday Book.
D.C. — Dean of Christ Church.
10^ber — December.
D. C.L. — Doctor of Civil Law.
D.D. — Divinitatis Doctor. Doctor in Divinity.
D. D. — Dono dedit. Gave as a Present.
D. D. D. — Dat, Dicat, Dedicat. He gives, he devotes, he makes sure, or, consecrates.
D.F. — Dean of Faculty (Scotland).
D. G. — Deo gratias. Thanks to God.
D. G. — Dei gratia. By the Grace of God.
Dict. — Dictator.
D. M. S. — Diis Manibus Sacrum. Sacred to the Gods of the dead.
Dn. — Dominus.
Do. — Ditto. The same.
D. O. M. — Deo Optimo Maximo. To God the best, the greatest.
Dr. — Doctor.
Dr. — Debtor.

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E

E. — East.
Eccl. — Ecclesiastes,
Ecclus. — Ecclesiasticus.
e. g. — Exempli gratiâ. As for example.
e. g. — Ex grege. Among the rest (literally from the Flock).
Ep. — Epistola.
Eps. — Episcopus.
Erg. — Ergo.
Esq. — Esquire.
Et. — Etiam.
Eur. — Europa.
Exch. — Exchequer.
Ex. g. — Exempli gratiâ. As for example.
Ex. gr. — Ditto
Exon. D. — Exeter Domesday Book.
Exor. — Executor.
Ex S. C. — Ex Senatûs consulto.
Ex v.— Ex Voto.

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F

F. A. S. — Fraternitatis Antiquariorum Socius. Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries.
F. S. A. — Ditto
F. D. — Fidei Defensor, Defender of the Faith.
F. E. S. — Fellow of the Entomological Society.
F. G. S. — Fellow of the Geological Society.
F. H. S. — Fellow of the Horticultural Society.
Fi. B. — Fide bonâ.
Fid. — Fides.
fi. fa. — Fieri facias.
Fil. — Filius.
F. L. S. — Fraternitatis Linneanae Socius. Fellow of the Linnean Society.
Foed. N. E.— Rymer's Foedera, New Edition.
F. R. S. — Fraternitatis Regiae Socius. Fellow of the Royal Society.
F. R. S. E. — Fellow of the Royal Society, Edinburgh.
F. R. S. L. — Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.
F. S. A. E. — Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, Edinburgh.

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G

G. C. B. — Grand Cross of the Bath.
G. C. H. — Grand Cross of the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic Order.
G. R. — Georgius Rex. George the King.

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H

h. e. — Hoc est. That is, or, this is.
Heb. — Hebrews.
Hel. — Helvetia.
Hhd. — Hogshead.
Hier. — Hierusalem. Jerusalem.
H. J. S. — Hic jacet sepultus. Here lies buried.
H. M. — His or Her Majesty.
H. M. P. — Hoc Monumentum posuit. Erected this Monument.
H. M. S. — His or Her Majesty's Ship.
H. R. I. P. — Hîc requiescit in Pace. Here rests in Peace.
H.S. — Sestertius. Two-pence.

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I

Ib — Ibidem. In the same Place.
Ibid. — Ditto
Id. — Idem. The same.
Id. E. — Idem est.
i. e. — Id est. That is.
Ig. — Igitur.
I. H. S. — Jesus Hominum Salvator. Jesus the Saviour of Man.
Imp. — Imperator. Emperor.
Impp. — Imperatores, viz. de duobus.
Imppp. — Imperatores, viz. de tribus.
Incog. — Incognito. Unknown.
Inq. p. m. — Inquisitio post Mortem.
I. N. R. I — Jesus Nazarenus, Rex Judeorum. Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.
Ins. — Instant. Of this Month.

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J

J. C. — Juris consultus.
J. C. — Julius Caesar.
J. D. — Jurum Doctor. Doctor of Laws.
Jul. — Julius.
Jun. — Junius.
J. V. D. — Juris utriusque Doctor. Doctor of Canon and Civil Law.

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K

K. Aug. — Kalendae Augusti.
K.A.N. — Knight of Alexander Newski, Russia.
K.B. — Knight of the Bath.
K. B. — King's Bench.
K.B.E. — Knight of the Black Eagle of Prussia.
K.C. — Knight of the Crescent of Turkey.
K. C. — King's Counsel.
K.C.B. — Knight Commander of the Bath.
K.C.H. — Knight Commander of the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic Order.
K.C.S. — Knight of Charles III. of Spain.
K.G. — Knight of the Garter.
K.G.F. — Knight of the Golden Fleece, of Spain, or of Austria.
K.G.H. — Knight of Guelph of Hanover.
K.G.V. — Knight of Gustavus Vasa of Sweden.
K.H. — Knight of the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic Order.
K.L.A. — Knight of Leopold of Austria.
K.L.H. — Knight of the Legion of Honour.
K.M. — Knight of Malta.
K. Mess. — King's Messenger.
K.M.T.— Knight of Maria Theresa of Austria.
K.N.S. — Knight of the Royal North Star of Sweden.
Knt. — Knight.
K.P. — Knight of Saint Patrick.
K.R.E.— Knight of the Red Eagle of Prussia.
K.S. — Knight of the Sword of Sweden.
K.S.A. — Knight of St. Anne of Russia.
K.S.E. — Knight of St. Esprit (or Holy Ghost) of France.
K.S.F. — Knight of St. Fernando of Spain.
K.S.F.M. — Knight of St. Ferdinand and Merit of Naples.
K. S. G. — Knight of St. George of Russia.
K.S.H. — Knight of St. Hubert of Bavaria.
K.S.J. — Knight of St. Januarius of Naples.
K.S.L. — Knight of the Sun and Lion of Persia.
K.S.M.&S.G. — Knight of St. Michael and St. George of the Ionian Islands.
K.S.P. — Knight of St. Stanislaus of Poland.
K.S.S. — Knight of the Southern Star of the Brazils.
K.S.W. — Knight of St. Wladimir of Russia.
K.T. — Knight of the Thistle.
K.T.S. — Knight of the Tower and Sword of Portugal.
K.W. — Knight of William of the Netherlands.

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L

L. — Lucius.
lb. — Libra. A Pound.
Ldp. — Lordship.
Leg. — Legatus. Lieutenant-General.
Leg. — Legio. Legion.
Lev. — Leviticus.
Lib. — Liber. Book.
Lieut. — Lieutenant.
LL.B. — Legum Baccalaureus. Bachelor of Laws.
LL. D. — Legum Doctor. Doctor of the Canon and Civil Law.
LL. S. — Sestertius. Two-pence.
L. N. E. S. — Ladies Negro Education Society.
L. P. — Large Paper.
Lp. — Lordship.
Lre. — [French] Lettre. Letter.
L.S. — Loco Sigilli. Place of the Seal.
L. s. d. — [French] Livres, Sous, Deniers. Pounds, Shillings, Pence.

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M

M. — Manipulus. An Handful.
M. — Marcus.
M. — Monsieur.
M. — (In this dictionary only) Moxon, Joseph.
M. A. — Master of Arts.
M. B. — Medicinae Baccalaureus. Bachelor in Medicine.
M. B. — Musicae Baccalaureus. Bachelor of Music.
M.D. — Medicinae Doctor. Doctor of Medicine.
Mens. — Mensis. Month.
Mess^rs. — Messieurs. [French, the plural of Monsieur.] Gentlemen; Sirs.
Mil. — Miles. A Soldier.
Mil. — Mille. A Thousand.
M.M.S. — Moravian Missionary Society.
Mons^r. — Monsieur.
M.P. — Member of Parliament.
Mr. — Mister.
M.R.A.S. — Member of the Royal Asiatic Society.
M.R.I. — Member of the Royal Institution of Great Britain.
M.R.I.A. — Member of the Royal Irish Academy.
Mrs. — Mistress.
M. R. S. L. — Member of the Royal Society of Literature.
MS. — Manuscript.
M. S. — Memoriae Sacrum. Sacred to the Memory.
MSS. — Manuscripts.
M. T. C. — Marcus Tullius Cicero.
M. Tul. Cic. — Ditto
Mus. D. — Doctor of Music.
M.W.S. — Member of the Wernerian Society.

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N

N. — North.
n. — Note.
N. B. — Nota bene. Mark well.
Nem. Con. Nemine Contradicente. No Person opposing or disagreeing.
Nem. Diss. — Nemine Dissentiente. No Person opposing or disagreeing.
Nep. — Nepos.
n. l. — Non liquet. It appears not.
N. L. — North Latitude.
Nr. — Noster. Our; our own.
N.S. — New Style.
N. T. — New Testament.

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O

Ob. — Obiit. He or she died.
Ob. — Obolus. Three Half-pence.
Oct. — October.
8vo. — Octavo.
O. S. — Old Style.
O. T. — Old Testament.
oz. — Ounce.

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P

P. — Publius.
p. — Page.
p. — Pugil. What may be taken up, in compounding Medicine, between the two Fingers and Thumb.
Pag. — Pagina. A Page of a Book.
P. C. — Patres Conscripti. Conscript Fathers, Senators.
Pent. — Pentecost.
Per Cent. — Per Centum. By the Hundred.
Philom. — Philomathes. A Lover of Learning.
Philomath. — Philomathematicus. A Lover of the Mathematics.
P. M. — Post Meridiem. Afternoon.
P. M. G. — Professor of Music at Gresham College.
Pon. M. — Pontifex Maximus.
P. P. — Pater Patriae. The Father of his Country.
P. P. C. — [French] Pour prendre congé. To take Leave.
P. R. — Populus Romanus. The Roman People.
Prof. — Professor.
P. R. S. — President of the Royal Society.
P. S. — Postscript. After written.
P. S. — Privy Seal.
P.Th.G. — Professor of Divinity at Gresham College.
Pub. — Publicus.

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Q

Q. — Quintus.
Q. — Quadrans. A Farthing.
q. — Quasi. As it were; almost.
q. — Quaere. Inquire.
Q. C. — Queen's College.
Q. C. — Queen's Counsel.
q. d. — Quasi dicat. As if he should say.
Q. E. — Quod est. Which is.
Q. E. D. — Quod erat demonstrandum. Which was the Thing to be demonstrated.
q. l. — Quantum libet. As much as you please.
Qm. — Quomodo. How, by what means.
q. a. — Quantum sufficit. A sufficient quantity.
Quaes. — Quaestor.
q. v. — Quantum vis. As much as you will.
q. v. — Quod vide. Which see.
4to. — Quarto.
Q^f. — Query.

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R

R. — Rex. King.
R. A. — Royal Academician.
R. A. — Royal Artillery.
R. E. — Royal Engineers.
Reg. — Regi.
Resp. — Respublica. Republic.
Rev. — Reverend.
R. M. — Royal Marines.
R. M. — Resident Magistrate.
R.N. — Royal Navy.
R. N. O. — Riddare af Nordstjerne. Knight of the Order of the Polar Star.
Ro. — Right-hand Page.
R. P. — Respublica. Republic.
R.S.S. commonly F.R.S- — Regiae Societatis Socius. Fellow of the Royal Society.
R. S. V. P. — [French] Réponse s'il vous plaît. Answer if you please.
Rt. Hon. — Right Honourable.
R.W.O. — Riddare af Wasa Orden, Knight of the Order of Wasa.

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S

S. — Sacrum; Sepulcrum; Senatus.
S. — South.
— Uncia. An Ounce.
Sax. Chron. — Saxon Chronicle.
S. C. — Senatûs Consultum. The Decree of the Senate.
Scil. — Scilicet. To wit.
Scip. — Scipio.
S. D. — Salutem dicit. Sends Health.
S. L. — South Latitude.
S.L. — Solicitor at Law (in Scotland).
S. P. — Salutem Precatur. He prays for his Prosperity.
S. P. — Sine prole. Without issue.
S. P. D. — Salutem plurimam dicet. He wishes much Health.
S.P.G. — Society for the Propagation of the Gospel.
S. P. Q. R Senatus Populusque Romanus. The Senate and People of Rome.
ss. — Semissis. Half a Pound (six Ounces). The half of any Thing.
S. S. C. — Solicitor before the Supreme Courts (Scotland).
St. — Saint.
S. T. D. — Sacrae Theologiae Doctor.
S. T. P. — Sacrosanctae Theologiae Professor. Professor of Divinity.
S. V. B. E. E. Q. V. — Si vales, bene est; ego quoque valeo. If you are in good Health, it is well; I also am in good Health.

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T

T. — Titus.
Tab. — Tabularius.
Testa de N. — Testa de Nevill.
T. L. — Testamento legavit. Bequeathed by Will.
Tr. Br. Mus. — Trustee of the British Museum.
T. R. E. — Tempore Regis Edwardi. Time of King Edward.
T. R. M. — Tribunus militnm. A military Tribune.

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U

U. E. I. C. — United East India Company.
U. J. D. — Utriusque Juris Doctor. Doctor of both Laws.
ult. — Ultimus. The last.
U. S. — United States of America.

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V

v — Vide. See.
v. — Verse.
v. — Versus. Against.
v. — (Sub) voce.
V. C. — Vir clarissimus. A celebrated Man.
v. g. — Verbi gratiâ. As for Example.
Vic. — Victores; Victor; Victoria.
viz. — Videlicet. That is to say.
Vl. — Videlicet. That is to say.

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W

W.— West.
W. M. S. — Wesleyan Missionary Society.
W.S. — Writer to His Majesty's Signet.

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X

X^mas. — Christmas.
Xⁿ. — Christian.
Xpofer. — Christopher.
Xps. — Christus.
X^t. — Christ.
Xtian. — Christian.

See Botanical Authorities. Law Authorities. Organic Remains. Sigla.