 The practice quickly expanded to a number of other words regarded as sacred.In the system of "nomina sacra" that came to prevail, abbreviation is by "contraction", meaning that the first and last letter (at least) of each word are used.In a few early cases, an alternate practice is seen of abbreviation by "suspension", meaning that the initial two letters (at least) of the word are used; e.g., the opening verses of Revelation in write ("Jesus Christ") as .