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Is there a word for an acronym whose first word is identical to the acronym? There are real-world examples. However, none come to mind so I will fabricate one here.

Face
Acuity
Characteristics
Expressions

F.A.C.E.

If there is already word for it I think it should be called an 'initialistic initialism'.

Or an 'initialised initialism'.

Edit: I am aware I have used' acronym' and 'initialism' interchangeably, my question applies to both.

EDIT: Although "GNU: GNU Not Linux" is a case of this and is known as a recursive acronym. The example I use as well as "IRIS: Iris Recognition Immigration System" are not recursive as the word Iris actually means something. Said another way "GNU: GNU Not Linux" could just as easily be "PNU: PNU Not Linux", the same is not true of IRIS.

Harvs
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  • Also GNU is recursively for GNU's Not Unix. In this case, the expression "recursive acronym" seems indeed to be an established notion, but that may be applicable only because it is deliberately so (i.e., the expanded GNU has no meaning by itself). – Hagen von Eitzen Oct 05 '15 at 13:32
  • Unfortunately the other question's answers also refer to recursive acronyms, which is not the answer to either mine or the other OP's questions. – Harvs Oct 06 '15 at 13:52
  • "Self-reflexive" is another term that might apply. – Hot Licks Dec 18 '15 at 17:40

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