~/.emacs.d/abbrev_defs

M-x load-file RET
~/.emacs
M-x load-file RET
~/.emacs.d/init.el

(setq-default abbrev-mode t)

(setq abbrev-file-name             ;; tell emacs where to read abbrev
        "~/.emacs.d/abbrev_defs")    ;; definitions from...

(setq save-abbrevs 'silent)        ;; save abbrevs when files are saved

(add-hook 'text-mode-hook #'abbrev-mode)