Helping English

Abbreviation

     Short for

   Use/Meaning

c./ca.

circa

approximately, about

cf.             

confer

compare with

edn.,edns.

edition(s)

Used in a reference list to specify the edition of the work cited.
 

e.g.

exempli gratia

for example, for instance

et al.

et alii

and others

fig., figs.

figure(s)

Used when referring to figures in a text of work.

i.e.

id est

which is to say, in other words, that is

l., ll.

line(s)

Used when referring to lines in a text.

MS/m.s.

manuscriptum

Can be used when referencing a manuscript.

NB/n.b.

nota bene

take special note of; note

n.d.

no date (of publication)

Used in referencing when a date is unknown - quite common with website addresses.

p., pp.

page(s)

Used for indicating page numbers when referencing.

passim

passim

frequently, in every part, in many places, too many references to list

sec.

section

Used when referring to sections of a text.

v., vs.

versus

Against.

viz.

videlicet

namely, that is to say, in other words

vol., vols.

volume(s)

Used for indicating volume numbers in referencing.