clipping

n. the shortening of a word in such a way that the new word is used with exactly the same meaning, for example, exam from examination. In general, adults prefer back-clipping, for example, prof for professor, whereas children prefer front-clipping, for example, fessor for professor. Unlike a back-formation, the clipped word has the same part of speech as the full form.

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Psychology term of the day

February 1st 2025

A fiber

a myelinated nerve fiber (axon) of the somatosensory system. A fibers are subdivided by diameter, ranging from largest to smallest: A-alpha fibers are 13 to 20 μm in diameter and transmit information from proprioceptors of skeletal muscles, A-beta fibers are 6 to 12 μm and transmit information from mechanoreceptors of the skin, and A-delta fibers are 1 to 5 μm and transmit temperature and sharp pain information. See also B fiber; C fiber.