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Greek Abbreviations
By abbreviations here are meant combinations of letters
made for the sake of the meaning of a word or words rather than
for the purpose of rapid writing. For those see the separate Greek Letter Combinations file. Not included here is any listing of "standard"
abbreviations, when for instance the conclusion of a word is omitted,
or prepositions are given by one or two letters.
Abbreviations could be made in a number of ways. The following
tables present variations using the following methods:
- Superposition: placing of one or more letters are above
others.
- Combination: intertwining letters with each other
- Suspension: omitting the end of a word.
- Contraction: omitting the middle part of a word. (Very
common in nomina sacra)
- Symbols: using a symbol with no connection to usual
letter forms.
- "Deformed letters"
: using a variety of symbols, some from shorthand. Common
at the end of words.
Two ore more of these methods might be used in one abbreviation.
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Abbreviations: through suspension together with superposition or combination
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Abbreviations: through contraction together with superposition, suspension or combination
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Nomina Sacra:
names or titles of sacred figures, usually through contraction
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Symbols
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Monograms:
combinations and superpositions of letters to create distinctive name-symbols
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Abbreviations:
from deformation of letters or tachygraphy
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Source: Bernhard Abraham van Groningen, Short Manual of Greek
Palaeography, (Leiden: 1940)
The author and maintainer of this site is Paul
Halsall. He can be contacted by email at
Please do not hesitate to mail comments or suggestions.
The Internet History Sourcebooks Project is located at the History Department of Fordham University, New York. The Internet
Medieval Sourcebook, and other medieval components of the project, are located at
the Fordham University Center
for Medieval Studies.The IHSP recognizes the contribution of Fordham University, the
Fordham University History Department, and the Fordham Center for Medieval Studies in
providing web space and server support for the project. The IHSP is a project independent of Fordham University. Although the IHSP seeks to follow all applicable copyright law, Fordham University is not
the institutional owner, and is not liable as the result of any legal action.
© Site Concept and Design: Paul Halsall created 26 Jan 1996: latest revision 15 February 2025 [CV]
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