ABC

noun

1. 1

   The English alphabet.

   Do you know your ABC? (US: Do you know your ABCs?)

2. 2

   obsoleteA type of poem in which the lines start with the letters of the alphabet in order.

3. 3

   obsoleteA primer for teaching the Latin alphabet and first elements of reading.

4. 4

   The fundamentals of any subject.

   the ABC of finance

   This was the Alma Mater of the Brigade, where it learned its A B C of military tactics.

   At the same time I was endeavoring to learn the a-b-c of farming. It is not the kind of thing that is easily learned from books.

   With her expert guidance, even a novice like me can have a taste of the focused, structured world of a Cunningham dance. The solo is possibly his plainest, almost an ABC of his meticulous approach to subdividing the body in motion — twist, bend, reach, step.

5. 5

   A straightforward, uniform playing style, often focusing on betting for value, folding weak hands, and avoiding bluffing.

6. 6

   A British alphabetized guidebook listing trains and their stations.

   "That will do. How are the trains for Netherhempsfield?" Greatorex put down the notebook and took up an "ABC."

   For this reason his heart sank when, emerging from his study into the great hall at quarter to eleven, he met Beaver already dressed and prepared to be entertained; it was only a momentary vexation, however, for while he wished him good morning he noticed that his guest had an A.B.C. in his hands and was clearly looking out a train.

7. 7

   Variant of ABC storeEllipsis of ABC store.

noun

1. 1

   Variant of airwayInitialism of airway, breathing and circulation, the essential steps in the immediate assessment and treatment of critically ill or injured patients.

   I run my hands over his chest, assessing his ABCs: airway, breathing, circulation.

2. 2

   Variant of alcoholic beverage controlInitialism of alcoholic beverage control.

   Pennsylvania is one of 18 alcoholic beverage control states, commonly known as “ABC states.” In an ABC state, the state government controls the sale and distribution of various alcoholic beverages, depending on state law.

3. 3

   Variant of American-born ChineseInitialism of American-born Chinese.

   Everyone was Chinese. Some of the students were ABCs. That means "American-born Chinese." Others were FOBs. FOB means "fresh off the boat" and it is a bad insult. I didn't feel prejudiced about the FOBs because I was one of them.

4. 4

   Variant of Australian-born ChineseInitialism of Australian-born Chinese.

5. 5

   Variant of activity-based costingInitialism of activity-based costing.

   Activity-based costing is a powerful control tool. With ABC, the manager can access all departments and monitor the costs associated with any activity he or she wants to control.

6. 6

   Variant of advance base campInitialism of advance base camp.

   Boga and Subhash with Sherpa Nim Dorje and Kedar Singh left early to open a route to advance base camp. […] They proceeded south along the left bank of the glacier. They could avoid the moraines by climbing the slopes near the bank. It was a long march and they established ABC at 4877 m on a small open rocky ground.

7. 7

   Variant of ATP-binding cassetteInitialism of ATP-binding cassette.

   ABC transporter

   ABC-transporters are multispan membrane proteins that mediate the active uptake or efflux of specific substrates across various biological membrane systems. A functional ABC-transporter protein usually consists of two transmembrane domains and two ABCs.

8. 8

   Variant of antigen-binding capacityInitialism of antigen-binding capacity.

9. 9

   Variant of age-associated B cellInitialism of age-associated B cell.

   Together, these findings indicate that CD21/35⁻CD23⁻ B cells do not correspond to any previously defined B-cell subset, but share some characteristics with exhausted B cells. Because they emerge and may eventually predominate with age, we have termed them age-associated B cells (ABCs).

10. 10

    Variant of aneurysmal bone cystInitialism of aneurysmal bone cyst.

    In the long bones, spine, and flat bones, the majority of aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) are eccentrically located whereas in the short tubular bones they are usually central in location. […] About 15% of all giant cell tumors have cystic areas that resemble ABC, and in about one third of all ABCs a pre-existing lesion can be identified.

11. 11

    Variant of adenoid basal cell carcinomaInitialism of adenoid basal cell carcinoma.

12. 12

    Variant of abacavirAbbreviation of abacavir.

13. 13

    Variant of accelerated blood clearanceInitialism of accelerated blood clearance.

14. 14

    Variant of Atanasoff-Berry computerInitialism of Atanasoff-Berry computer.

15. 15

    Variant of artificial bee colonyInitialism of artificial bee colony.

16. 16

    Variant of assignment for the benefit of creditorsInitialism of assignment for the benefit of creditors.

    Like foreclosure, an assignment for the benefit of creditors (ABC) is a creature of state law. ABCs have long been popular in a few states, most notably California and Illinois, but they are beginning to gain traction in other states as a less expensive alternative to bankruptcy.

17. 17

    Variant of absorbing boundary conditionInitialism of absorbing boundary condition.

    As a matter of fact, when numerically handling a model originally established on an unbounded domain, it is compulsory to impose the pertinent ABC to terminate the endless mesh while retaining a well-posed and stable simulation.

18. 18

    Variant of abstract base classInitialism of abstract base class.

    Abstract base classes (ABCs) represent an interesting paradox. […] It is instructive to think of ABCs as tools rather than as part of the product.

    Most ABCs in the collections.abc module exist to formalize interfaces that are implemented by built-in objects and are implicitly supported by the interpreter—both of which predate the ABCs themselves.

19. 19

    Variant of adventure-based counselingInitialism of adventure-based counseling.

    Creatively integrating counseling theory, research, and best practices has afforder me the opportunity to constructively engage clients in adventure-based counseling (ABC) activities that foster social, mental, and emotional development. Utilizing ABC as an innovative counseling approach for individuals, families, and groups has increased my enthusiasm as a counselor.

20. 20

    Variant of affectInitialism of affect, behavior, and cognition.

21. 21

    Variant of alien big catInitialism of alien big cat.

22. 22

    Variant of active body controlInitialism of active body control.

23. 23

    Variant of Archbishop of CanterburyinformalInitialism of Archbishop of Canterbury.

proper noun

1. 1

   An imperative general-purpose programming language, intended for teaching or prototyping.

2. 2

   Variant of American Broadcasting CompanyInitialism of American Broadcasting Company, an American commercial broadcast television network founded in 1943.

   “The cost of appearing with this bloviating ignoramus is obvious, it seems to me,” he said on “This Week,” the ABC News program.

3. 3

   Variant of Australian Broadcasting CorporationInitialism of Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

   One of the terrorists who carried out the shooting attack at a Bondi Beach Hanukkah party was likely a Muslim man of Pakistani origin, a senior law enforcement official told ABC News. The man's name is Naveed Akram, from Bonnyrigg, and his house had been raided.

4. 4

   Variant of Australian Broadcasting CompanyhistoricalInitialism of Australian Broadcasting Company.

5. 5

   Variant of Australian Broadcasting CommissionhistoricalInitialism of Australian Broadcasting Commission.

6. 6

   Variant of Asahi Broadcasting CorporationInitialism of Asahi Broadcasting Corporation.

7. 7

   Variant of Agricultural Bank of ChinaInitialism of Agricultural Bank of China.

8. 8

   Variant of Audit Bureau of CirculationsInitialism of Audit Bureau of Circulations.

9. 9

   Variant of Aerated Bread CompanyhistoricalInitialism of Aerated Bread Company, which ran a network of shops and cafeterias.

   It was not worth while to go back to Barnes for the interval between the closing of the Museum and his meal in an ABC shop, and the time hung heavily on his hands.

   “No more matinées…no more exhibitions…no more A.B.C. teas…no more insane times…no more anything.”

   He turned into an A.B.C. shop and ordered eggs and bacon and coffee.

10. 10

    Variant of Advance Booking CharterInitialism of Advance Booking Charter.

11. 11

    Variant of Asian Basketball ConfederationhistoricalInitialism of Asian Basketball Confederation.

    The first was the Asian Games, held every 4 years, and the Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC), held every 2 years.

    The most memorable championship of his life, the 1967 ABC (now Fiba Asia), was also the most dramatic for the Philippines in the entire 1960s.

    The now FIBA Asia Cup was previously called as the FIBA Asia Championships and the older Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) Championships.

    Former PBA players pay final respects to Danny Florencio in his final journey home But Florencio would cement his place in local basketball history as the hero in the Philippines’ dramatic 83-80 win over South Korea for the 1967 Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) Championship (now known as the FIBA-Asia).

12. 12

    Variant of American Bowling CongresshistoricalInitialism of American Bowling Congress.

13. 13

    Variant of ArgentinaInitialism of Argentina, Brazil and Chile, the three most powerful and wealthiest countries in South America.

    ABC countries

14. 14

    Variant of Santo AndréInitialism of Santo André, São Bernardo do Campo and São Caetano do Sul, satellite cities around the city of São Paulo that form the most important industrial area in Brazil.

15. 15

    Variant of AtlantaInitialism of Atlanta, Birmingham and Coast Railroad.

16. 16

    Variant of American Book CenterInitialism of American Book Center, an English-language bookstore in Amsterdam founded in 1972.

    In addition to sharing American-style storytelling with audiences throughout Finland and France, including a featured presentation at the ELSA conference in Paris this month, Marblehead storyteller Judith Black will be helping to organize and host a story slam at ABC Treehouse, an institution that promotes and supports intercultural exploration in Amsterdam.

    The American Book Center – a part of Amsterdam's book scene for 41 years – has embraced the latest in book technology. Lynn Kaplanian Buller has been involved with the ABC almost since its launch in 1972, adding a second store in The Hague in 1976.

17. 17

    Variant of Anglican Book CentreInitialism of Anglican Book Centre, the publishing house and bookshop of the Anglican Church of Canada until 2013.

adjective

1. 1

   Variant of atomicInitialism of atomic, biological and chemical, the three main categories of weapon of mass destruction.

2. 2

   Variant of already been chewedslangInitialism of already been chewed.

   She'd chew the gum until she was finished with it for the day and store it in a tiny box in the refrigerator until she wanted another chew. If I accidentally threw out her gum, she was able to find someone else's ABC gum (already been chewed).

3. 3

   Variant of activated B-cell-likeInitialism of activated B-cell-like.

phrase

1. 1

   Variant of anything but ChardonnayInitialism of anything but Chardonnay, a backlash against Chardonnay wine, seen as ubiquitous.

   He thought he was up-to-date on all the latest wine lingo until a longtime wine writer returned his sample request card with a bold, hand-written note on it that stated, “Send me all samples—ABC!” ¶ “ABC” threw my friend for a loop. When he called me, I translated the cryptic phrase—ABC is winespeak for “Anything But Chardonnay.”

2. 2

   Variant of abstinenceInitialism of abstinence, be faithful, use a condom, a sex education policy developed in response to the epidemic of HIV/AIDS in Africa.

3. 3

   Variant of always be chargingInitialism of always be charging, a recommendation to remember to charge or be left without use by a low battery at an inopportune time.

4. 4

   Variant of anything but ConservativeInitialism of anything but Conservative.

noun

1. 1

   A keyboard layout in which all keys are arranged in alphabetical order in English.

Forms

plural

ABCs, ABC's