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What would be the proper way to shorten the word "template" down to maximum of 3 symbols for use in busy diagrams and schemes in (bio)chemical context?
From here and there I only found TPL and TML examples to be more or less suitable. Also, just T is often used in the specialized literature, but I find it rather improper as it could easily be confused with "temperature". So which one is correct?
andselisk
Posted 2017-07-04T05:33:01.743
Reputation: 400
I'm not sure about proper SE section, please let me know if this question fits English.SE better.
– andselisk – 2017-07-04T06:01:29.110This is just my opinion, but I would say TPL is best because you are capturing significant parts of the word. TemPLate. The T stands for the first syllable, and the PL for the second. – Dangph – 2017-07-04T06:03:45.943
@Dangph Thank you, this was my feeling too, I just didn't know how to substantiate it. Would you mind posting your comment as an answer? – andselisk – 2017-07-04T06:06:07.730
To reduce potential confusion to a nullity, I would use TEMPLATE; or are vowels verboten by convention? If so, I propose TMPLT. – P. E. Dant Reinstate Monica – 2017-07-04T06:10:36.193
@P.E.Dant I would prefer to keep the abbreviation as short as possible, but still recognizable and more or less unique. As I mentioned, this one goes into rather complex drawings where literally every letter counts, and using more than 3 symbols would be a luxury. Vowels are fine though. – andselisk – 2017-07-04T06:13:47.453
If space is critical, you should dispense with abbreviations entirely and use a key. A small graphic in a lower corner (commonly called a legend in English) informs the reader of the equivalencies, e.g: T = Template. – P. E. Dant Reinstate Monica – 2017-07-04T06:17:31.750
@P.E.Dant As I mentioned, T is reserved pretty much by design as "temperature" across many branches of natural science. Reassigning this one may cause a lot of confusion, as the same abbreviation goes into the text. – andselisk – 2017-07-04T06:20:53.550
Then use teeny weeny pictures. Invent your own local morphology. I see this all the time. – P. E. Dant Reinstate Monica – 2017-07-04T06:38:16.870