Why the -tic ending for “alphabetic”?

The word alphabet in anniversary is a-l-f according the the abbreviation principle.  The word alphabetic is a-l-f dj a representing the -tic sound at the end.  My question is why if the t is already assumed would the “a” for etic be added and not just a disjoined k?

(by Ryan for group greggshorthand)

 


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  1. Good observation. My guess is that since "alphabet" is the only abbreviated word with the "et" ending that can form derivatives with -tic (the word "athlete" can also form derivatives with -tic, but it is not abbreviated), they decided to keep the circle to make the word ending rule consistent. In other words, they decided to have the ending take precedence over the abbreviated form. (If the abbreviated form would take precedence, then "alphabetic" will be written with a k at the end, and "alphabetical" with a disjoined k.) In theory, the root word should take precedence, but this is one of those weird cases in which it does not. (I write those words with the redundant -tic ending, and not think much about it.)

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