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definition of "acronym"

[edit]

The existing definition is unclear, even misleading:

acronym = an abbreviation pronounced as a series of constituent letters, e.g., SARS = severe acute respiratory syndrome


To me, "pronounced as a series of constituent letters" means "spelled out", e.g.. ess ay ar ess... which is, exactly, the definition of the contrasting term:

initialism = an abbreviation pronounced wholly or partly using the names of its constituent letters, e.g., CD = compact disc


So I am changing the definitions to (changes underlined)

  • acronym = an abbreviation pronounced as if it were a word, e.g., SARS = severe acute respiratory syndrome, pronounced to rhyme with cars
  • initialism = an abbreviation pronounced wholly or partly using the names of its constituent letters, e.g., CD = compact disc, pronounced cee dee


Even though there's little chance of anyone trying to say "CD" as a word, kd or sd, I'd rather err on the side of explicitness. --Thnidu (talk) 02:51, 27 December 2012 (UTC)[reply]