Compiled from the resources of the Oxford English Dictionary and a range of newspapers and journals, this is an up-to-date guide to every kind of abbreviation. Covering the most important business, scientific and technical abbreviations, as well as those in everyday use, the dictionary includes acronyms (eg ROM), initialisms (eg OED), shortenings (eg Sun for Sunday), symbols and signs (eg K, HZ, and A4), and hybrid forms (eg A-bomb). Graphic symbols such as proof-reading marks, hallmarks, music, science and weather symbols are all given in a series of appendices.