† ˈbreviatureObs. [ad.med.L. breviātūra abridgement, f.breviāre to shorten: see -ure.] An abbreviation. 1583J. Higins tr.Junius' Nomenclator, Notæ..Abbreviatures. Notes: abbreviations, breuiatures.1731Bailey II, Breviature, an abbreviation, etc.1857Wright, Breviature, a note of abbreviation.