6.1.3 Technical Abbreviations

This list is selective and more descriptive than prescriptive.

Use exact and transparent references wherever possible. Abbreviations such as f. and ff. should be avoided because they leave the endpoint unclear. Replace them with a specific range instead.

Likewise, avoid older citation shortcuts such as op. cit. and loc. cit. In notes, use a shortened citation instead, normally the author’s last name and a shortened form of the title. This is clearer for readers and easier to manage editorially.

abs. absolute κτλ καὶ τὰ λοιπά (= and the rest; etc.)
abbr. abbreviation Lat. Latin
adj. adjective, adjectival lit. literally
adv. adverb m. meter (as measurement)
b. born m. or masc. masculine
bibliog. bibliography mg. marginal
bk. book mod. modern
c. century MS(S) manuscript(s)
ca. circa n(n). note(s)
cf. [Latin] confer, compare N.B. nota bene, note carefully
ch(s). chapter(s) NC New Comment
cod. codex n.d. no date
col(s). column(s) neg. negative
conj. conjunction no(s). number(s)
consec. consecutive obj. object
const. construct obs. obsolete
cont. continued obv. obverse (front) of tablet
esp. especially orig. original
def. definition p(p). page(s)
deriv. derivative par(r). parallel(s); see §6.22
ed(s). editor(s) per. person, persons
e.g. exempli gratia, for example per. comm. personal communication
Eg. Egyptian ps.- pseudo-
Eng. English pt. part
Enoc. Enochian publ. published
esp. especially q.v. quod vide, which see
ET English Translation r recto
et al. et alii, and others re regarding
etc. et cetera, and so forth, and the rest repr. reprinted
ex. example rev. revised (by); reverse (of a tablet)
excl. excluding sec. section
f. or fem. feminine ser. series
fig. figurative, figuratively sg. or s. singular
fol(s). folio(s) Skt. Sanskrit
Fr. French subj. subject
frag. fragment suppl. supplement
Ger. German syn. synonym (-ous)
Gk. Greek theol. theology
HB Hebrew Bible trans. translator; translated by
Heb. Hebrew v verso
i.e. id est, that is v(v). verse(s)
ibid. ibidem, in the same place viz. videlicet, namely
incl. inclusive, including vol(s). volume(s)
inscr. inscription vs. versus