When using the elements <sic> and <orig>, the WWP will apply them to individual letters (or letter groups which require the same tag), not to the entire word where they appear.
When using the element <abbr>, the WWP will apply it to the unit which is abbreviated, whatever that may be in the given case:
a single brevigraph such as a letter with a macron or superscript: <abbr expan="em">ē</>
a word-length abbreviation: <abbr expan="Obedient">Ob’t.</>
See also 076 on abbreviation.