The words most commonly abbreviated at all times
are proper names, titles (official or customary), of persons or corporations, and words of frequent
occurrence. A good list of those used in Roman Republican and early Imperial times may be seen in
Egbert's Latin Inscriptions (New York, 1896), 417-459. The Jewish scribes and Talmudic scholars
also had frequent recourse to abbreviations.
Between the seventh and ninth centuries the ancient Roman system of abbreviations gave way
to a more difficult one that gradually grew up in the monastic houses and in the chanceries of the
new Teutonic kingdoms. Merovingian, Lombard, and Anglo-Saxon scripts offer each their own
abbreviations, not to speak of the unique scotica manus or
libri scottice scripti (Irish hand, or books
written in the medieval Irish hand). Eventually such productive centres of technical manuscripts
as the Papal Chancery, the theological schools of Paris and Oxford, and the civil-law school of
Bologna set the standards of abbreviations for all Europe. The medieval manuscripts abound in
abbreviations, owing in part to the abandonment of the uncial, or quasi-uncial, and the almost
universal use of the cursive, hand. The medieval writer inherited a few from Christian antiquity;
others he invented or adapted, in order to save time and parchment. They are found especially in
manuscripts of scholastic theology and canon law, annals and chronicles, the Roman law, and in
administrative documents, civil and privileges, bulls, rescripts). They multiplied with time, and
were never so numerous as on the eve of the discovery of printing; many of the early printed books
offer this peculiarity, together with other characteristics of the manuscript page. The development
of printing brought about the abandonment of many abbreviations, while it suggested and
introduced new ones a process also favoured by the growth of ecclesiastical legislation, the
creation of new offices, etc. There was less medieval abbreviation in the text of books much used on
public occasions, e.g. missals, antiphonaries, bibles; in one way or another the needs of students
seem to have been the chief cause of the majority of medieval abbreviations. The means of
abbreviation were usually full points or dots (mostly in Roman antiquity), the semicolon (eventually
conventionalized), lines (horizontal, perpendicular, oblong, wavy curves, and commas). Vowel-sounds were frequently written not after, but over, the consonants. Certain letters, like p and q,
that occur with extreme. frequency, e.g. in prepositions and terminations, became the source of
many peculiar abbreviations; similarly, frequently recurring words like et (and), est (is).
Habit and convenience are today the principal motives for using abbreviations. Most of those
in actual use fall under one or other of the following heads:
I. Administrative;
II. Liturgical;
III. Scholastic;
IV. Chronological.
I. The first class of
abbreviations includes those used in the composition of
Pontifical
documents. They were once very numerous, and lists of them may be seen in the works quoted
below (e.g. Quantin, Prou). It may be well to state at once that since 29 December,
1878, by
order
of Leo XIII, the great
papal documents (
Litterae Apostolicae) are no longer written in the old
Gothic
hand known as
bollatico; all
abbreviations, with the exception of a few obvious ones, like S.R.E.,
were
abolished by the same
authority (Acta S. Sedis, XI, 465-467). In the transaction of ordinary
business the
Roman Congregations are wont to use certain brief and pithy formulas (e.g.
Negative
= "No";
Negative et amplius = "No with emphasis"). They are not, correctly speaking,
abbreviations.
For a list of these see
CANON LAW. This class includes also the
abbreviations for the names of
most sees. The full
Latin titles of all existing (
Latin)
dioceses may be seen in the
Roman annual,
"Gerarchia Cattolica", a complete list of the
Latin names of all known
dioceses (extant or extinct) is
found in the large folio work of the Comte de Mas Latrie, "Trésor de chronologie, d'histoire et de
géographie" (
Paris,
1884). For the same purpose the reader may also consult the
episcopal
catalogues of the
Benedictine Gams, "Series Episcoporum Ecclesiae Catholicae" (Ratisbon,
1873-86), and the Franciscan Conrad Eubel, "Hierarchia Catholica Medii Ævi" (Münster,
1898-
1902).
Under this general heading may be included all abbreviated forms of addresses in ordinary
intercourse, whether of individuals or of members of
religious orders,
congregations, institutes, to
which may be added the forms of addresses usual for members of
Catholic lay societies and the
Papal orders of merit. (See CATHOLIC SOCIETIES, ORDERS OF MERIT.) The
abbreviations of
the titles of
Roman Congregations, and of the individual
canonical ecclesiastical authorities, belong
also to this class.
II. A second class of abbreviations includes those used in the description of
liturgical acts or the directions for their performance, e.g. the Holy Mass. the Divine Office
(Breviary), the ecclesiastical devotions, etc. Here may also be classed the abbreviated forms for the name of God, Jesus Christ, and
the Holy Ghost; also for the names of the Blessed Virgin, the saints, etc.; likewise abbreviations
used in the administration of the Sacraments, mortuary epitaphs, etc. (to which class belong the
numerous Catacomb inscriptions); finally some miscellaneous abbreviations like those used in the
publication of documents concerning beatification and canonization.
III. In the third class belong
scholastic abbreviations, used to designate honorific titles acquired in the schools, to avoid the
repetition of lengthy titles of books and reviews, or to facilitate reference to ecclesiastical and civil
legislation.
IV. In the fourth class of abbreviations belong all such as are used to describe the
elements of the year, civil or ecclesiastical.
ABBREVIATIONS USED IN APOSTOLIC RESCRIPTS
Absoluo. -- Absolutio ("
Absolution")
Alr. -- Aliter ("Otherwise")
Aplica. -- Apostolica ("
Apostolic")
Appatis. -- Approbatis ("Having been approved")
Archiepus. -- Archiepiscopus ("Archbishop")
Aucte. -- Auctoritate ("By the
Authority")
Canice. -- Canonice ("
Canonically")
Card. -- Cardinalis ("Cardinal")
Cens. -- Censuris ("
Censures" -- abl. or dat. case)
Circumpeone. -- Circumspectione ("Circumspection" -- abl. case)
Coione. -- Communione ("
Communion" -- abl. case)
Confeone. -- Confessione ("
Confession" -- abl. case)
Consciae. -- Conscientiae ("Of [or to]
conscience")
Constbus -- Constitutionibus ("
Constitutions" -- abl. or dat. case)
Discreoni. -- Discretioni ("To the
Discretion")
Dispensao. -- Dispensatio ("Dispensation")
Dnus -- Dominus ("Lord", "Sir", or "Mr.")
Ecclae. -- Ecclesiae ("Of [or to] the Church")
Ecclis. -- Ecclesiasticis ("
Ecclesiastical")
Effum. -- Effectum ("Effect")
Epus. -- Episcopus ("
Bishop")
Excoe. -- Excommunicatione ("Excommunication" -- abl. case)
Exit. -- Existit ("Exists")
Fr. -- Frater ("Brother")
Frum. -- Fratrum ("Of the Brothers")
Gnalis -- Generalis ("General")
Humil. -- Humiliter ("Humbly")
Humoi. -- Hujusmodi ("Of this kind")
Igr. -- Igitur ("Therefore")
Infraptum. -- Infrascriptum ("Written below")
Intropta. -- Introscripta ("Written within")
Irregulte. -- Irregularitate ("Irregularity" -- abl. case)
Lia. -- Licentia ("License")
Litma. -- Legitima ("Lawful")
Lre. -- Litterae ("Letters")
Lte. -- Licite ("Lawfully", or "licitly")
Magro. -- Magistro ("Master" -- dat. or abl. case)
Mir. -- Misericorditer ("Mercifully")
Miraone. -- Miseratione ("
Pity" -- abl. case)
Mrimonium. -- Matrimonium ("Matrimony")
Nultus. -- Nullatenus ("Nowise")
Ordinaoni. -- Ordinationi ("Ordination" -- dat. case)
Ordio. -- Ordinario ("Ordinary" -- dat. or abl. case)
Pbr. -- Presbyter ("
Priest")
Penia. -- Poenitentia ("
Penance", or "
repentance")
Peniaria. -- Poenitentiaria ("Penitentiary"; i.e. Bureau of the
Apostolic Penitentiary)
Pntium. -- Praesentium ("Of those present", or, "Of this present writing")
Poe. -- Posse ("To be able", or, "The ability to do a thing")
Pontus. -- Pontificatus ("
Pontificate")
PP. -- Papa ("Pope")
Pr. -- Pater ("
Father")
Pror. -- Procurator
Ptur. -- Praefertur ("Is preferred", or, "Is brought forward")
Ptus. -- Praefatus ("Aforesaid")
Qd. -- Quod ("Because", "That", or, "Which")
Qmlbt. -- Quomodolibet ("In any manner whatsoever")
Qtnus. -- Quatenus ("In so far as")
Relione. -- Religione ("
Religion", or, "
Religious Order" -- abl. case)
Rlari. -- Regulari ("Regular")
Roma. -- Romana ("
Roman")
Salri. -- Salutari ("Salutary")
Snia. -- Sententia ("Opinion")
Sntae., Stae. -- Sanctae ("
Holy", or, "
Saints" -- feminine)
Spealer. Specialiter ("Specially")
Spualibus Spiritualibus ("In
spiritual matters")
Supplioni. Supplicationibus ("
Supplication" -- dat. or abl. case)
Thia, Theolia. Theologia ("
Theology")
Tli. Tituli ("Titles")
Tm. -- Tantum ("So much", or, "Only")
Tn. -- Tamen ("Nevertheless")
Venebli -- Venerabili ("
Venerable")
Vrae. -- Vestrae ("Your")
ABBREVIATIONS IN GENERAL USE, CHIEFLY ECCLESIASTICAL
A.B. -- Artium Baccalaureus ("Bachelor of Arts")
Ab. --
Abbas ("
Abbot")
Abp. -- Archbishop
Abs. -- Absens ("Absent")
A.C. -- Auditor Camerae (Auditor of the
Papal Treasury)
AC -- Ante Christum ("Before
Christ")
ACN -- Ante Christum Natum ("Before the Birth of
Christ")
A.D. -- Anno Domini ("Year of
Our Lord")
a.d. -- ante diem ("The day before")
Adm. Rev. -- Admodum Reverendus ("Very Reverend")
Adv. -- Adventus ("Advent")
Alb. -- Albus ("White" --
Breviary)
al. -- alii, alibi, alias ("others", "elsewhere", "otherwise")
A.M. -- Anno Mundi ("Year of the World")
A.M. -- Artium Magister ("Master of Arts")
A.M.D.G. -- Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam ("For the greater glory of
God")
An. -- Annus ("Year")
Ann. -- Anni ("Years")
Ana, Ant. -- Antiphon
Apost. -- Apostolus ("Apostle")
Ap. Sed. -- Apostolica Sedes ("
Apostolic See")
Ap. Sed. Leg. -- Apostolicae Sedis Legatus ("Legate of the
Apostolic See")
Archiep. -- Archiepiscopus ("Archbishop")
Archid. -- Archidiaconus ("
Archdeacon")
Archiprb. -- Archipresbyter ("Archpriest")
A.R.S. -- Anno Reparatae Salutis ("In the year of Our Redemption")
A.U. -- Alma Urbs ("Beloved City" -- i.e.,
Rome)
Authen. -- Authentica ("Authentic" -- e.g. letters)
Aux. -- Auxilium, Auxilio ("Help", "With the help of")
B.A. -- Baccalaureus Artium ("Bachelor of Arts")
B. BB. -- Beatus, Beati ("
Blessed")
B.C. -- Before
Christ
B.C.L. -- Baccalaureus Civilis [or Canonicae] Legis ("Bachelor of Civil [or Canon]
Law")
B.D. -- Bachelor of Divinity
B.F. -- Bona Fide ("In
Good Faith")
Ben. -- Benedictio ("
Blessing")
Benevol. -- Benevolentia ("Benevolence")
Bon. Mem. -- Bonae Memoriae ("Of Happy Memory")
B.P. -- Beatissime Pater ("Most
Holy Father")
Bro. -- Brother
B. Se. -- Baccalaureus Scientiarum ("Bachelor of Sciences")
B.U.J. -- Baccalaureus Utriusque Juris ("Bachelor of Both
Laws" -- i.e., civil and
canon)
B.T. -- Baccalaureus Theologiae ("Bachelor of
Theology")
B.V. -- Beatitudo Vestra ("Your Holiness")
B.V. -- Beata Virgo ("
Blessed Virgin")
B.V.M. -- Beata Virgo Maria ("
Blessed Virgin Mary")
Cam. -- Camera (
Papal Treasury)
Cam. Ap. -- Camera Apostolica ("
Apostolic Camera" -- i.e.
Papal Treasury)
Can. -- Canonicus
Cane. -- Cancellarius ("Chancellor")
Cap. -- Capitulum ("Little Chapter" --
Breviary)
Cap. de seq. -- Capitulum de Sequenti ("Little chapter of the following feast" --
Breviary)
Capel. -- Capella ("
Chapel")
Caus. -- Causa ("Cause")
C.C. -- Curatus ("Curate" -- used chiefly in
Ireland)
CC. VV. -- Clarissimi Viri ("Illustrious Men")
Cen. Eccl. -- Censura Ecclesiastica ("
Ecclesiastical Censure")
Cla. -- Clausula ("Clause")
Cl., Clico. -- Clericus, Clerico ("
Cleric")
Clun. -- Cluniacenses ("
Monks of Cluny")
C.M. -- Causa Mortis ("On occasion of death")
Cod. -- Codex (Manuscript)
Cog. Leg. -- Cognatio Legalis ("Legal Cognation")
Cog. Spir. -- Cognatio Spiritualis ("
Spiritual Cognation")
Coll. Cone. -- Collectio Conciliorum ("Collection of the Councils")
Comm. Prec. -- Commemoratio Praecedentis ("Commemoration of the preceding feast" --
Breviary)
Comm. Seq. -- Commemoratio Sequentis ("Commemoration of the following feast" --
Breviary)
Compl. -- Completorium ("Compline" --
Breviary)
Con. -- Contra ("against")
Cone. -- Concilium ("Council")
Conf. -- Confessor
Conf. Doct. -- Confessor et Doctor (
Breviary)
Conf. Pont. -- Confessor
Pontifex ("Confessor and
Bishop" --
Breviary)
Cons. -- Consecratio ("
Consecration")
Consecr. -- Consecratus ("Consecrated")
Const. Ap. -- Constitutio Apostolica ("
Apostolic Constitution")
Cr. -- Credo ("
Creed" --
Breviary)
D. -- Dominus ("Lord")
d. -- dies ("day")
D.C.L. -- Doctor Civilis [or Canonicae] Legis ("Doctor of Civil [or Canon]
Law")
D.D. -- Doctores ("Doctors")
D.D. -- Donum dedit; Dedicavit ("Gave", "dedicated")
D.D. -- Doctor Divinitatis ("Doctor of Divinity" -- i.e.
Theology)
Dec. -- Decanus ("Dean")
Def. -- Defunctus ("Deceased")
D.G. -- Dei Gratia ("By the Grace of
God")
D.N. -- Dominus Noster ("
Our Lord")
D.N.J.C. -- Dominus Noster
Jesus Christus ("
Our Lord Jesus Christ")
DN, DNS, DNUS -- Dominus ("Lord")
Doct. -- Doctor (
Breviary)
Dom. -- Dominica ("Sunday")
D.O.M. --
Deo Optimo Maximo ("To
God, the Best and Greatest")
Doxol. -- Doxologia ("Doxology" --
Breviary)
D.R. -- Decanus Ruralis ("Rural Dean")
DS -- Deus ("
God")
D.Se. -- Doctor Scientiarum ("Doctor of Sciences")
D.V. -- Deo Volente ("
God willing")
Dupl. -- Duplex ("Double feast" --
Breviary)
Dupl. Maj. -- Duplex Major ("Double Major feast")
Dupl. I. Cl. -- Duplex Primae Classis ("Double First Class feast" --
Breviary)
Dupl. II. Cl. -- Duplex Secundae Classis ("Double Second Class feast" --
Breviary)
Eccl. -- Ecclesiasticus ("
Ecclesiastic")
E., Eccl. -- Ecclesia ("The Church")
El. -- Electio, Electus ("Election", "Elect")
Emus -- Eminentissimus ("Most
Eminent")
EPS, EP., Episc. -- Episcopus ("
Bishop")
Et. -- Etiam ("Also, Even")
Evang. -- Evangelium ("
Gospel" --
Breviary)
Ex. -- Extra ("Outside of")
Exe. -- Excommunicatus, Excommunicatio ("Excommunicated, Excommunication")
Fel. Mem. -- Felicis Memoriae ("Of Happy Memory")
Fel. Rec. -- Felicis Recordationis ("Of Happy Memory")
Fer. -- Feria ("Weekday")
Fr., F. -- Frater, Frere ("Brother")
Fund. -- Fundatio ("Foundation")
Gen. -- Generalis ("General")
Gl. -- Gloria ("Glory to
God", etc.)
Gr. -- Gratia ("Grace")
Grad. -- Gradus ("Grade")
Grat. -- Gratias ("Thanks"); or Gratis ("Without expense")
hebd. -- Hebdomada ("Week")
Hom. -- Homilia ("Homily" --
Breviary)
hor. -- hora ("hour")
IC --
Jesus (first and third letters of His name in
Greek)
Id. -- Idus ("Ides")
Igr. -- Igitur ("Therefore")
I.H.S. -- Iesus Hominum Salvator ("
Jesus Saviour of Men" -- usual interpretation). Really a faulty
Latin transliteration of the first three letters of JESUS in
Greek (
IHS for IHC).
Ind. -- Indictio ("Indiction")
Ind. -- Index
Inq. -- Inquisitio ("
Inquisition")
i.p.i. -- in partibus infidelium ("among the infidels")
Is. -- Idus ("Ides")
J.C. --
Jesus Christus ("
Jesus Christ")
J.C.D. -- Juris Canonici Doctor, Juris Civilis Doctor ("Doctor of
Canon Law", "Doctor of Civil
Law")
J.D. -- Juris Doctor ("Doctor of
Law")
J.M.J. --
Jesus, Maria, Joseph ("
Jesus,
Mary, Joseph")
Jo., Joann. -- Joannes ("John")
J.U.D. -- Juris Utriusque Doctor ("Doctor of Both
Laws" -- Civil and
Canon)
Jud. -- Judicium ("Judgment")
J.U.L. -- Juris Utriusque Licentiatus ("Licentiate of Both
Laws")
Jur. -- Juris ("Of
Law")
Kal. -- Kalendae ("Calends")
Laic. -- Laicus ("
Layman")
Laud. -- Laudes ("Lauds" --
Breviary)
L.C.D. -- Legis Civilis Doctor ("Doctor of Civil
Law")
l.c.; loc. cit. -- Loco citato ("at the place already cited")
Lect. -- Lectio ("Lesson")
Legit. -- Legitime, Legitimus ("Legally", "legitimate")
L.H.D. -- Litterarum Humaniorum Doctor ("Doctor of Literature")
Lib., Lo. -- Liber, Libro ("Book", "In the book")
Lic. -- Licentia, Licentiatus ("License", "Licentiate")
Litt. -- Littera ("Letter")
LL.B. -- Legum Baccalaureus ("Bachelor of
Laws")
LL.D. -- Legum Doctor ("Doctor of
Laws")
LL.M. -- Legum Magister ("Master of
Laws")
Loc. -- Locus ("Place")
Lov. -- Lovanium ("Louvain")
Lovan. -- Lovanienses (Theologians of Louvain)
L.S. -- Loco Sigilli ("Place of the Seal")
Lud. -- Ludovicus
M. -- Maria ("
Mary")
M.A. -- Magister Artium ("Master of Arts")
Mag. -- Magister ("Master")
Mand. -- Mandamus ("We command")
Mand. Ap. -- Mandatum Apostolicum ("
Apostolic Mandate", e.g. for a
bishop's consecration)
Mart., M., MM. --
Martyr, Martyres ("
Martyr", "
Martyrs" --
Breviary)
Mat. -- Matutinum ("Matins" --
Breviary)
Matr. -- Matrimonum ("Marriage")
Mgr. -- Monseigneur, Monsignore ("My Lord")
Miss. -- Missa ("
Mass" --
Breviary); Missionarius ("Missionary")
Miss. Apost., M.A. -- Missionarius Apostolicus ("Missionary
Apostolic")
M.R. -- Missionarius Rector ("Missionary Rector")
m.t.v. -- mutatur terminatio versiculi ("the termination of the little verse is changed" --
Breviary)
Nativ., D.N.J.C. -- Nativitas Domini Nostri Jesu Christi ("Nativity of
Our Lord Jesus Christ")
N. D. -- Nostra Domina, Notre Dame ("Our Lady")
Nigr. -- Niger ("Black" --
Breviary)
No. -- Nobis ("to us", "for us")
Nob. -- Nobilis, Nobiles ("Noble", "Nobles")
Noct. -- Nocturnum ("Nocturn")
Non. -- Nonae ("Nones")
Nostr. -- Noster, nostri ("Our", "of our")
Not. -- Notitia ("Knowledge")
N.S. -- Notre Seigneur, Nostro Signore ("
Our Lord")
N.S. -- New Style
N.T. -- Novum Testamentum ("New Testament")
Ntri. -- Nostri ("Of our")
Nup. -- Nuptiae ("Nuptials")
Ob. -- Obiit ("Died")
Oct. -- Octava ("Octave" --
Breviary)
Omn. -- Omnes, Omnibus ("All", "to all")
Op. Cit. -- Opere Citato ("In the work cited")
Or. -- Oratio ("Prayer" --
Breviary)
Ord. -- Ordo, Ordinatio, Ordinarius ("
Order", "Ordination", "Ordinary")
Or. Orat. -- Orator ("Petitioner"), Oratorium ("
Oratory")
O.S. -- Old Style
O.T. -- Old Testament
Oxon. -- Oxonium, Oxonienses ("Oxford", "Theologians or Scholars of Oxford")
P. -- Pater, Pere ("
Father")
Pa. -- Papa ("Pope"); Pater ("
Father")
Pact. -- Pactum ("Agreement")
Pasch. -- Pascha ("
Easter" --
Breviary)
Patr. -- Patriarcha ("
Patriarch")
Pent. -- Pentecostes ("Pentecost" --
Breviary)
Ph.B. -- Philosophiae Baccalaureus ("Bachelor of
Philosophy")
Ph.D. -- Philosophiae Doctor ("Doctor of
Philosophy")
Phil. -- Philosophia ("
Philosophy")
Ph.M. -- Philosophiae Magister ("Master of
Philosophy")
P.K. -- Pridie Kalendas ("The day before the Calends")
Poenit. -- Poenitentia ("
Penance")
Poenit Ap. -- Poenitentiaria Apostolica ("Office of the
Apostolic Penitentiary")
Pont. --
Pontifex ("Pontiff", i.e.
Bishop --
Breviary)
Pont. -- Pontificatus ("
Pontificate")
Pont. Max. --
Pontifex Maximus ("Supreme Pontiff")
Poss. -- Possessor, Possessio ("Possessor", "Possession")
PP. -- Papa ("Pope"); Pontificum ("Of the popes")
P.P. -- Parochus ("Parish
Priest" -- used mostly in
Ireland)
PP. AA. -- Patres Amplissimi ("Cardinals")
P.P.P. -- Propria Pecunia Posuit ("Erected at his own expense")
P.R. -- Permanens Rector ("Permanent Rector")
Praef. -- Praefatio ("Preface" of the
Mass --
Breviary)
Presbit. -- Presbyter,
Priest
Prof. -- Professus, Professio, Professor ("Professed", "Profession", "Professor")
Prop. Fid. -- Propaganda Fide (
Congregation of the Propaganda,
Rome)
Propr. -- Proprium ("Proper" --
Breviary)
Prov. -- Provisio, Provisum ("Provision", "Provided")
Ps. -- Psalmus ("Psalm")
Pub., Publ. -- Publicus, Publice ("Public", "Publicly")
Purg. Can. -- Purgatio Canonica ("
Canonical Disculpation")
Quadrag. -- Quadragesima ("Lent", also the "Fortieth day" before
Easter --
Breviary)
Quinquag. -- Quinquagesima (The "Fiftieth day" before
Easter --
Breviary)
R. -- Responsorium ("Responsory" --
Breviary)
R. -- Roma (
Rome)
Rescr. -- Rescriptum ("Rescript")
R.D. -- Rural Dean
Req. -- Requiescat ("May he [or she] rest", i.e. in
peace)
Resp. -- Responsum ("Reply")
R.I.P. -- Requiescat In Pace ("May he or she rest in
peace")
Rit. -- Ritus ("Rite", "Rites")
Rom. -- Romanus, Romana ("
Roman")
R. P. -- Reverendus Pater, Reverend Pere ("Reverend
Father")
RR. -- Rerum ("Of Things, Subjects" -- e.g. SS. RR. Ital., Writers on Italian [historical] subjects); Regesta
Rt. Rev. -- Right Reverend
Rub. -- Ruber ("Red" --
Breviary)
Rubr. -- Rubrica ("Rubric")
S., Sacr. -- Sacrum ("
Sacred")
Sab., Sabb. -- Sabbatum ("
Sabbath", Saturday)
Saec. -- Saeculum (Century)
Sal. -- Salus, Salutis ("Salvation", "of Salvation")
Salmant. -- Salmanticenses (Theologians of Salamanca)
S.C. -- Sacra Congregatio ("
Sacred Congregation")
S.C.C. -- Sacra Congregatio Concilii ("
Sacred Congregation of the Council", i.e. of Trent)
S.C.EE.RR. -- Sacra Congregatio Episcoporum et Regularium ("
Sacred Congregation of
Bishops and Regulars")
S.C.I. -- Sacra Congregatio Indicis ("
Sacred Congregation of the Index")
S.C.P.F. -- Sacra Congregatio de Propaganda Fide ("
Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith")
SCS -- Sanctus ("
Saint")
s.d. -- sine datâ (undated book)
S.D. -- Servus Dei (Servant of
God)
Semid. -- Semiduplex ("Semi" double feast --
Breviary)
Septuag -- Septuagesima ("Seventieth day" before
Easter; always a Sunday --
Breviary)
Sexag. -- Sexagesima ("Sixtieth day" before
Easter --
Breviary)
Sig. -- Sigillum ("Seal")
Simpl. -- Simplex ("Simple" feast --
Breviary)
Sine Com. -- Sine Commemoratione ("Without commemoration" of other feast, or feasts --
Breviary)
s.l. -- sine loco ("without indication" of place of printing)
s.l.n.d. -- sine loco nec data ("without indication of place" or "without date of printing")
S.M. -- Sanctae Memoriae ("Of
Holy Memory")
Soc. -- Socius, Socii ("Companion", "Companions" --
Breviary)
S. Off. -- Sanctum Officium (
Congregation of the
Holy Office,
Inquisition)
S.P. -- Sanctissime Pater ("Most
Holy Father")
S.P., S. Petr. -- Sanctus Petrus ("St. Peter")
S.P. -- Summus
Pontifex ("Supreme Pontiff", Pope)
S.P.A. -- Sacrum Palatium Apostolicum ("
Sacred Apostolic Palace", Vatican, Quirinal)
Sr. -- Sister
S.R.C. -- Sacra Rituum Congregatio ("
Sacred Congregation of Rites")
S.R.E. -- Sancta Romana Ecclesia, Sanctae Romanae Ecclesia ("Most
Holy Roman Church"; or, "of the Most
Holy Roman Church")
SS. -- Scriptores ("Writers")
SS.D.N. -- Sanctissimus Dominus Noster ("Our Most
Holy Lord [
Jesus Christ]", also a title of the Pope)
S., SS. -- Sanctus, Sancti ("
Saint", "
Saints")
S.T.B. -- Sacrae Theologiae Baccalaureus ("Bachelor of
Sacred Theology")
S.T.D. --
Sacred Theologiae Doctor ("Doctor of
Sacred Theology")
S.T.L. -- Sacrae Theologiae Licentiatus ("Licentiate of
Sacred Theology")
Suffr. -- Suffragia ("
Suffrages" -- i.e. prayers of the
saints;
Breviary)
S.V. -- Sanctitas Vestra ("Your Holiness")
Syn. -- Synodus ("
Synod")
Temp. -- Tempus, Tempore ("Time", "in time")
Test. -- Testes, Testimonium ("Witnesses", "Testimony")
Theol. -- Theologia ("
Theology")
Tit. -- Titulus, Tituli ("Title", "Titles")
Ult. -- Ultimo ("Last" -- day, month, year)
Usq. -- Usque ("As far as")
Ux. -- Uxor ("Wife")
V., Ven., VV. -- Venerabilis, Venerabiles ("
Venerable")
V., Vest. -- Vester ("Your")
Vac. -- Vacat, Vacans ("Vacant")
Val. -- Valor ("Value")
Vat. -- Vaticanus ("Vatican")
Vba. -- Verba ("Words")
Vers. -- Versiculus ("Versicle" --
Breviary)
Vesp. -- Vesperae ("Vespers" --
Breviary)
V.F., Vic. For. -- Vicarius Foraneus ("
Vicar-Forane")
V.G. -- Vicarius Generalis ("
Vicar-General")
Vid. -- Vidua ("
Widow" --
Breviary)
Vid., Videl. -- Videlicet ("Namely")
Vig. -- Vigilia ("Vigil" of a feast --
Breviary)
Viol. -- Violaceus ("Violet" --
Breviary)
Virg. -- Virgo ("
Virgin" --
Breviary)
Virid. -- Viridis ("Green" --
Breviary)
V.M. -- Vir Magnificus ("Great Man")
V. Rev. -- Very Reverend
V.T. -- Vetus Testamentum
XC., XCS. -- Christus ("
Christ" -- first, middle, and last letters of the
Greek name)
ABBREVIATIONS IN CATACOMB INSCRIPTIONS
A.D. -- Ante Diem (e.g. in the phrase, "Ante Diem VI [or Sextum] Kal. Apriles", is equivalent to the sixth day before the Calends of April, counting both the Calends and the day intended to be indicated); or Anima Dulcis ("Sweet
Soul")
A.Q.I.C. -- Anima Quiescat In Christo ("May his [or her]
Soul Repose in
Christ")
B., BMT. -- Bene Merenti ("To the Well-Deserving")
B.M. -- Bonae Memoriae ("Of Happy Memory")
B.F. -- Bonae Feminae ("To the
Good Woman")
I.C. -- Bibas [for Vivas] In Christo ("May you Live In
Christ")
B.M.F. -- Bene Merenti Fecit ("He erected this to the Well-Deserving")
B.Q. -- Bene Quiescat ("May he [or she] Rest Well")
C. -- Consul
CC. -- Consules ("Consuls")
C.F. -- Clarissima Femina ("Most Illustrious Woman")
Cl. V. -- Clarissimus Vir ("Most Illustrious Man")
C.O. -- Conjugi Optimo ("To my Excellent Husband")
C.O.B.Q. -- Cum Omnibus Bonis Quiescat ("May he [or she] Repose With All
Good souls")
COI. -- Conjugi ("To my Husband [or Wife]")
CS., COS. -- Consul
COSS. -- Consules ("Consuls")
C.P. -- Clarissima Puella ("Most Illustrious Maiden")
D. --
Depositus ("Laid to rest"); or Dulcis ("Dear One")
D.D. -- Dedit, Dedicavit ("Gave", "Dedicated")
DEP. --
Depositus ("Laid to rest")
D.I.P. -- Dormit In Pace ("Sleeps in
Peace")
D.M. --
Diis Manibus ("To the Manes [of]")
D.M.S. --
Diis Manibus Sacrum ("
Sacred to the Manes [of]")
D.N. -- Domino Nostro ("To
Our Lord")
DD. NN. -- Dominis Nostris ("To
Our Lords")
E.V. -- Ex Voto ("In Fulfilment of a Vow")
EX. TM. -- Ex Testamento ("In accordance with the Testament of")
E VIV. DISC. -- E Vivis Discessit ("Departed from Life")
F. -- Fecit ("Did"); or Filius ("Son"); or Feliciter ("Happily")
F.C. -- Fieri Curavit ("Caused to be made")
F.F. -- Fieri Fecit ("Caused to be made")
FF. -- Fratres ("Brothers"); Filii ("Sons")
FS. -- Fossor ("Digger")
H. -- Haeres ("Heir"); Hic ("Here")
H.L.S. -- Hoc Loco Situs ("Laid [or Put] in This Place")
H.M.F.F. -- Hoc Monumentum Fieri Fecit ("Caused This Monument to be Made")
H.S. -- Hic Situs ("Laid Here")
ID. -- Idibus ("On the Ides")
IDNE. -- Indictione ("In the Indiction" -- a
chronological term)
I.L.H. -- Jus Liberorum Habens ("Possessing the Right of Children" -- i.e., eligibility to public office under age)
INB. -- In Bono ("In
Good [odour]")
IND. -- Same as IDNE
INP -- In Pace ("In
Peace")
I.X. -- In Christo ("In
Christ")
K. -- Kalendas ("Calends"); or Care, Carus, Cara ("Dear One"); or Carissimus[a] ("Dearest")
K.B.M. -- Karissimo Bene Merenti ("To the Most Dear and Well-deserving")
L. -- Locus ("Place")
L.M. -- Locus Monumenti ("Place of the Monument")
L.S. -- Locus Selpuchri ("Place of the
Sepulchre")
M. --
Martyr, or Memoria ("Memory") or Monumentum ("Monument")
MM. -- Martyres ("
Martyrs")
M.P. -- Monumentum Posuit ("Erected a Monument")
MRT. -- Merenti ("To the Deserving")
N. -- Nonas ("Nones"); or Numero ("Number")
NN. -- Nostris ("To Our" -- with a plural) or Numeri ("Numbers")
O. -- Hora ("Hour"); Obiit ("Died")
OB. IN XTO. -- Obiit In Christo ("Died In
Christ")
OMS. -- Omnes ("All")
OP. -- Optimus (Excellent, or Supremely
Good)
P. -- Pax ("
Peace"); or Pius ("Dutiful"); or Ponendum ("To be Placed"); or Pridie ("The Day Before"); or Plus ("More")
P.C. -- Poni Curavit ("Caused to be Placed")
P.C., P. CONS. -- Post Consulatum ("After the Consulate")
P.I. -- Poni Jussit ("
Ordered to be Placed")
P.M. -- Plus Minus ("More or Less"); or Piae Memoriae ("Of
Pious Memory"); or Post Mortem ("After Death")
PP. --
Praepositus ("Placed over")
PR.K. -- Pridie Kalendas ("The Day Before the Calends")
PRB. -- Presbyter ("
Priest")
PR.N. -- Pridie Nonas ("The Day Before the Nones")
P.T.C.S. -- Pax Tibi Cum Sanctis ("
Peace to Thee With the
Saints")
PZ. -- Pie Zeses ("May you Live
Piously" --
Greek)
Q., Qui. -- Quiescit ("He Rests")
Q.B.AN. -- Qui Bixit [for Vixit] Annos ("Who lived . . . years")
Q.I.P. -- Quiescat In Pace ("May he [or she] Rest in
Peace")
Q.V. -- Qui Vixit ("Who Lived")
R. -- Requiescit ("He Rests"); or Refrigerio ("In [a place of] Refreshment")
Reg. -- Regionis ("Of the Region")
S. -- Suus ("His"); or Situs ("Placed"); or Sepulchrum ("
Sepulchre")
SC. M. -- Sanctae Memoriae ("Of
Holy Memory")
SD. -- Sedit ("He sat")
SSA. -- Subscripta ("Subscribed")
S.I.D. -- Spiritus In Deo ("Spirit [rests] in
God")
S.P. -- Sepultus ("Buried"); or Sepulchrum ("
Sepulchre")
SS. -- Sanctorum (Of the
Saints)
S.V. -- Sacra Virgo ("
Holy Virgin")
T., TT. -- Titulus, Tituli ("Title", "Titles")
TM. -- Testamentum ("Testament")
V. -- Vixit ("He Lived"); or Vixisti ("Thou didst Live")
VB. -- Vir Bonus ("A
Good Man")
V.C. -- Vir Clarissimus ("A Most Illustrious Man")
VV. CC. -- Viri Clarissimi ("Most Illustrious Men")
V.H. -- Vir Honestus ("A Worthy Man")
V. X. -- Vivas, Care [or Cara] ("Mayest thou Live, Dear One"); or Uxor Carissima ("Most Dear Wife")
X., XPC., XS. -- Christus ("
Christ")
ABBREVIATIONS OF TITLES OF THE PRINCIPAL RELIGIOUS ORDERS AND CONGREGATIONS OF PRIESTS
A.A. -- Augustiniani Assumptionis (Assumptionists)
A.B.A. -- Antoniani Benedictini Armeni (Mechitarists)
C.J.M. --
Congregation Jesu et Mariae (Eudist
Fathers)
C.M. -- Congregatio Missionis (Lazarists)
C.M. -- Congregatio Mariae (
Fathers of the Company of
Mary)
C.P. -- Congregatio Passionis (Passionists)
C.PP.S. -- Congregatio Pretiosissimi Sanguinis (
Fathers of the Most Precious Blood)
C.R. -- Congregatio Resurrectionis (Resurrectionist
Fathers)
C.R.C.S. -- Clerici Regulares Congregationis Somaschae (Somaschi
Fathers)
C.R.I.C. -- Canonici Regulares Immaculate Conecptionis ("
Canons Regular of the Immaculate Conception")
C.R.L. -- Canonici Regulares Lateranenses ("
Canons Regular of the Lateran")
C.R.M. -- Clerici Regulares Minores ("Clerks Regular Minor", Mariani)
C.R.M.D. -- Clerici Regulares Matris Dei ("Clerks Regular of the Mother of
God")
C.R.M.I. -- Clerici Regulares Ministrantes Infirmis ("Clerks Regular Attendant on the Sick", Camillini, Camilliani)
C.R.P. -- Congregatio Reformatorum Praemonstratensium (Premonstratensians)
C.R.S.P. -- Clerici Regulares Sancti Pauli (
Barnabites)
C.R.S.P. -- Clerici Regulares Pauperum Matris Dei Scholarum Piarum ("Clerks Regular of the Poor Men of the Mother of
God for
Pious Schools", Piarists)
C.R.T. -- Clerici Regulares Theatini (
Theatines)
C.S.B. -- Congregatio Sancti Basilii (
Basilians)
C.S.C. -- Congregatio Sanctae Crucis (
Fathers and Brothers of the
Holy Cross)
C.S.P. -- Congregatio Sancti Pauli (
Paulists)
C.S.Sp. -- Congregatio Sancti Spiritus (
Fathers of the
Holy Ghost)
C.S.V. -- Clerici Sancti Viatoris (Clerks, or
Clerics, of
St. Viateur)
C.SS.CC. -- Congregatio Sacratissimorum Cordium (Missionaries of the
Sacred Hearts of
Jesus and
Mary)
C. SS. R. -- Congregatio Sanctissimi Redemptoris (Redemptorists)
Inst. Char. -- Institutum Charitatis (
Rosminians)
M.C. -- Missionaries of
Charity
M.S. -- Missionaries of La Salette [France]
M.S.C. -- Missionarii Sancti Caroli ("Missionaries of
St. Charles")
M.S.C. -- Missionarii Sacratissimi Cordis ("Missionaries of the Most
Sacred Heart")
O.C. -- Ordo Charitatis (
Fathers of the
Order of
Charity)
O. Camald. -- Ordo Camaldulensium (Camaldolese)
O. Cart. -- Ordo Cartusiensis (Carthusians)
O. Cist. -- Ordo Cisterciensium (Cistercians)
O.C.C. -- Ordo Carmelitarum Calceatorum (Carmelites)
O.C.D. -- Ordo Carmelitarum Discalceatorum (Discalced, or Barefoot, Carmelites)
O.C.R. -- Ordo Reformatorum Cisterciensium (Cistercians, Trappists)
O.F.M. -- Ordo Fratrum Minorum (Observant Franciscans)
O.M. -- Ordo [Fratrum] Minimorum (Minims of St. Francis of Paul)
O. Merced. -- Ordo Beatae Mariae Virginis de Redemptione Captivorum (Mercedarians, Nolaschi)
O.M.C. -- Ordo Minorum Conventualium (
Conventual Franciscans)
O.M. Cap., O.F.M. Cap., O.M.C. -- Ordo Minorum Cappucinorum (Capuchins)
O.M.I. -- Oblati Mariae Immaculatae (Oblate
Fathers of
Mary Immaculate)
O.P., Ord Fratr. Praed. -- Ordo Praedicatorum (Dominicans)
Ord. Praem. -- Ordo Praemonstratensium (Premonstratensians, Norbertines)
O.S.A. -- Ordo [Eremitarum] Sancti Augustini (Augustinians)
O.S.B. -- Ordo Sancti Benedicti (
Benedictines)
O.S.C. -- Oblati Sancti Caroli (Oblate
Fathers of
St. Charles)
O.S.F.C. -- Ordinis Sancti Francisci Capuccini (Franciscan Capuchins)
O.S.F.S. -- Oblati Sancti Francisci Salesii (Oblate
Fathers of St. Francis of Sales)
O.S.H. -- Ordo [Eremitarum] Sancti Hieronymi (Hieronymites)
O.S.M. -- Ordo Servorum Mariae (Servites)
O.SS.C. -- Oblati Sacratissimi Cordis ("Oblate
Fathers of the
Sacred Heart")
O. Trinit. -- Ordo Sanctissimae Trinitatis (Trinitarians)
P.O. -- Pr tres de l Oratoire, Presbyteri Oratorii (Oratorians)
P.S.M. -- Pia Societas Missionum (
Fathers of the
Pious Society of Missions, Pallottini)
P.S.S. -- Presbyteri Sancti Sulpicii, Pr tres de S. Sulpice (Sulpicians)
S.C. -- Salesianorum Congregatio (
Congregation of St. Francis of Sales -- Salesian
Fathers)
S.D.S. -- Societas Divini Salvatoris ("Society of the Divine
Saviour")
S.D.V. -- Societas Divini Verbi (
Fathers of the Divine Word)
S.J. -- Societas Jesu ("Society of
Jesus", i.e. the
Jesuits)
S.M. -- Societas Mariae (Marists)
S.P.M. -- Societas Patrum Misericordiae (
Fathers of Mercy)
S.S.S. -- Societas Sanctissimi Sacramenti (
Fathers of the
Blessed Sacrament)
Most manuals of palaeography (Greek and Latin) contain lists of Abbreviations (ancient and medieval), some of
which are yet of ecclesiastical interest, while others have long since become obsolete or rare, and concern only the
reader of manuscripts. Some manuals of diplomatics, likewise, have useful lists of pontifical chancery abbreviations, e.g. QUANTIN, Dict. de diplomatique chrétienne (Paris, 1846). 26-42, and Prou (Paris, 1902). in the latter work may be
seen the original script-forms of these Abbreviations. Facsimiles of abbreviated pontifical documents may be seen, e.g.
in DENIFLE, Specimina Palaeographica ab Innoc. III ad Urban. V. (Rome, 1888) The Abbreviations in Greek
manuscripts were first scientifically studied by the Benedictine MONTFAUCON in his famous Palaeographica Graeca
(Paris, 1708); see the lntroductions to Greek Palaeography of GARDTHAUSEN and WATTENBACH The little work,
Modus legendi abreviaturas in jure tam civili quam pontificio occurrentes (Venice, 1596), is one of the earliest attempts
at a dictionary of medieval abbreviations. A very useful work for all Latin abbreviations is that of CAPELLI, Dizionario
delle abbreviature latine ed italiane (Milan, 1900); it is written mostly in Latin and describes all the abbreviations
ordinarily used in Latin and Italian documents, civil or ecclesiastical Other valuable works dealing specifically with
abbreviations in pontifical documents are DE LA BRANA, Signos y Abreviaturas que se usan en los documentos
pontificios (Leon, 1884); RODENBERG, Epistolae saec. XIII e regestis RR. PP. selectae (Berlin, 1883), I, 323. For an
extensive list of the abbreviations in the epitaphs of the Catacombs see KRAUS, Real-Encycl. der Christi. Alterth.
(Freiburg, 1886), I, 47-51. The chapters on abbreviations of medieval manuscripts in the palaeographical manuals of
DE WAILLY (Paris, 1843), CHASSANT (Paris, 1885), PAOLI (Florence, 1891), REUSENS (Louvain, 1899), CARINI
(Rome, 1889), and THOMPSON (London, 1903) are recommended, also the excellent Lateinische Paläographie of
STEFFENS (Freiburg, Switzerland, 1903, 3 vols. fol. with many plates). See BATTANDIER, Abbréviations, in Ann.
Pont. Cath. (Paris 1900), 527-538.
THOMAS J. SHAHAN
The 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia