shorthand

Universal Words noun 1 (AmE also stenography) [U] a quick way of writing using special signs or abbreviations, used especially to record what sb is saying: typing and shorthand * to take sth down in shorthand * a shorthand typist * shorthand notes * to do / learn shorthand 2 [U,C] ~ (for sth) a shorter way of saying or referring to sth, which may not be as accurate as the more complicated way of saying it