MFD has a continuing life. It has been used widely for many years as an abbreviation for MICROFARD. I can find endless examples of parts labeled with the MFD nomenclature. Check out the links below for but a few examples:

http://www.pdqsupplyinc.com/oemheatin...citors.htm
http://www.madisound.com/sale.html
http://www.eci-capacitors.com/ECI_5MP2.htm
http://www.bodine-electric.com/images/Pa...citors.htm
http://www.tae.com.tw/~taecap/products.htm

So I say that it is perfectly reasonable to use MFD as an indicator for MICROFARAD. So its use is far from "meaningless".

Michael Karas