Acronyms — words formed from the initial letters or
syllables of each of the successive parts or major
parts of a compound noun or phrase. Examples:
NATO, radar or laser.
Abbreviations — shortened forms of written words
used in place of the whole. Examples: rd is an
abbreviation for road; yr for year; w/ for with.
Clipped word — is a word that has lost a part of itself,
usually the end syllable or syllables. Examples: grad
is clipped from graduate or graduation; prof from
professor; dorm from dormitory.