Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
ZAMS
English answer:
Sounds like: Pams, Sams, Lambs
Added to glossary by
zaphod
Nov 6, 2004 17:18
19 yrs ago
English term
France
PhD, ATA-certified En-Hu, sci-tech-IT
Native in: Hungarian 
Works in: English to Hungarian, French to Hungarian, Hungarian to English, and 2 more.
ZAMS
English
Science
Astronomy & Space
pronunciation + astronomy
How do you pronounce ZAMS (= zero-age main sqeuence)?
1.) [,zedeIem'es] (US: [,zi:eIem'es])
2.) ['zaems] (where ae is the same sound as in bat [baet]
3.) when reading out the abbreviation *always* (not just usually) "zero-age main sqeuence" should be pronounced?
1.) [,zedeIem'es] (US: [,zi:eIem'es])
2.) ['zaems] (where ae is the same sound as in bat [baet]
3.) when reading out the abbreviation *always* (not just usually) "zero-age main sqeuence" should be pronounced?
Responses
| 5 +1 | Bams, Pams, Sams, Lambs |
zaphod
|
| 4 -1 | letter by letter, as it is an abbreviation not an acronym |
Mapi
|
Responses
+1
1 hr
Selected
Bams, Pams, Sams, Lambs
No "E" at the end to make the noun say it's name. So it's flat.
2 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thank you. "
-1
10 mins
letter by letter, as it is an abbreviation not an acronym
that is what I have been told about the difference an acronym and an abbreviation, but never found a good explanation about it
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Note added at 12 mins (2004-11-06 17:31:35 GMT)
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abbreviation, in writing, arbitrary shortening of a word, usually by cutting off letters from the end, as in U.S. and Gen. (General). Contraction serves the same purpose but is understood strictly to be the shortening of a word by cutting out letters in the middle, the omission sometimes being indicated by an apostrophe, as in the word don\'t. Most abbreviations are followed by a period. Usage, however, differs widely, and recently omission of periods has become common, as in NATO and UN. Acronyms are combinations of the first letters/syllables in a group of words to form a new grouping of letters that can be pronounced as a word. A period is never used when apostrophes appear. A list of abbreviations used in this encyclopedia may be found in the prefatory matter.
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Note added at 12 mins (2004-11-06 17:31:35 GMT)
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abbreviation, in writing, arbitrary shortening of a word, usually by cutting off letters from the end, as in U.S. and Gen. (General). Contraction serves the same purpose but is understood strictly to be the shortening of a word by cutting out letters in the middle, the omission sometimes being indicated by an apostrophe, as in the word don\'t. Most abbreviations are followed by a period. Usage, however, differs widely, and recently omission of periods has become common, as in NATO and UN. Acronyms are combinations of the first letters/syllables in a group of words to form a new grouping of letters that can be pronounced as a word. A period is never used when apostrophes appear. A list of abbreviations used in this encyclopedia may be found in the prefatory matter.
Discussion
There are arguments and examples for 1.) and 2.) (as well as 3.)), so I would like to have an input based on the actual usage. which one is preferred by usage.