ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷_bəˌtizəm, -_bəd.ˌiz-, -ˌbed.ˌiz- noun
( -s )
: the use of letters as symbols:
a. : the representation of speech sounds by vowel and consonantal rather than syllabic signs
b. : the use of groups of letters (as ABC or XYZ) as a signature or nom de plume