×10n

The term ×10n, often stylized as x10n, refers to a linguistic phenomenon known as a numeral or numbercontraction. It is formed by taking the first letter of a word and the last letter of that word, and then inserting the number of letters between them. In the case of ×10n, the word is "reduction". The first letter is 'r' and the last letter is 'n'. There are ten letters between 'r' and 'n' in the word "reduction". Thus, ×10n represents "reduction".

This form of abbreviation is common in informal communication, particularly online and in text messaging. It serves as a way to shorten frequently used words, making typing faster and more efficient. Other examples of ×10n-style abbreviations include "i18n" for "internationalization" (where 'i' is the first letter, 'n' is the last, and there are 18 letters in between) and "l10n" for "localization" (where 'l' is the first letter, 'n' is the last, and there are 10 letters in between).

The use of ×10n and similar abbreviations is generally understood within specific communities or contexts. While they can be convenient for those familiar with them, they might be unclear to individuals outside of those contexts. The popularity of these abbreviations can vary over time and with the evolution of language and technology. They represent a creative and condensed form of communication that prioritizes brevity.