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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)