I. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
Etymology: short (I) + hand
1. : a method of writing rapidly by substituting characters, abbreviations, or symbols for letters, words, or phrases : stenography — compare longhand
2. : a system or instance of rapid or abbreviated communication or notation
could converse in a joking verbal shorthand , which meant little to anyone else — Robert Graves
a master of visual shorthand … could capture in a few light strokes the elusive passing moment — Fortnight
II. adjective
1.
a. : using shorthand
a shorthand reporter
b. : written in shorthand
a shorthand report
2. : of, relating to, or involving an abbreviated or symbolic method of communication or expression
one of those rare watercolorists who work from nature in quick shorthand notes — L.S.Reiss
this shorthand historical chronicle — Nancy Ross
3. : resembling shorthand : abridged, condensed
the committee majority type of shorthand mathematics — R.M.Blough