Which term is a word formed from the initial letters of the major parts of a compound term? For example, A.I.D.S.

• A. Acronym
• B. Alliteration
• C. Agenda
• D. Adjourn

Answer: (A)

A word formed from the initial letters of the major parts of a term is called an acronym. This matches the example by taking Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and turning those initials into a single, usable word. Acronyms are convenient because they compress a longer phrase into a recognizable unit. In the case of AIDS, the result is widely treated as a single term even though people sometimes spell it out letter by letter in casual use. The other options describe different language concepts: alliteration is about repeating initial sounds, while agenda and adjourn refer to a plan of topics and the act of suspending a meeting, not to forming a new word from initials.