Many acronym lists you'll see are really lists of acronyms and initialisms or just lists of abbreviations. (Note that abbreviations include shortened words like esp. for especially as well as shortened phrases.). Summing up: 1  An abbreviation is a shortening of a word or a phrase.2  An acronym is an abbreviation that forms a word. 3  An initialism is an abbreviation that uses the first letter of each word in the phrase (thus, some but not all initialisms are acronyms). An acronym whose letters spell a word meaningful in the context of the term it stands for is called an apronym. ( 2 For example, BASIC, which stands for Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code, is a very simple programming language.).
crutch definition: The definition of a crutch is a device that provides help or support, particularly for a broken or sprained limb. (noun) An example of a crutch is a wooden device that goes under the armpit to help a person walk with a broken leg. ...
gout n : a painful inflammation of the big toe and foot caused by defects in uric acid metabolism resulting in deposits of the acid and its salts in the blood and joints [syn: {gouty arthritis}, {urarthritis}] Gout \Gout\ (gout), n. [F. goutte a drop, the gout, the disease being considered as a defluxion, fr. L. gutta drop.] [1913 Webster] 1. A drop; a clot or coagulation. [1913 Webster] On thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood.