synopsis

[ si-nop-sis ]
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noun,plural syn·op·ses [si-nop-seez]. /sɪˈnɒp siz/.
  1. a brief or condensed statement giving a general view of some subject.

  2. a compendium of heads or short paragraphs giving a view of the whole.

  1. a brief summary of the plot of a novel, motion picture, play, etc.

Origin of synopsis

1
First recorded in 1605–15; from Late Latin, from Greek sýnopsis, equivalent to syn-syn- + op- (suppletive stem of horân “to see”; cf. autopsy) + -sis-sis

synonym study For synopsis

See summary.

Other words for synopsis

Words Nearby synopsis

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How to use synopsis in a sentence

  • His account of this initiation turns upon two or three points which do not appear in the synopsis of the sixth chapter.

    Devil-Worship in France | Arthur Edward Waite
  • He knew as much about it as Tadeo, but the published synopsis helped him and his fancy supplied the rest.

    The Reign of Greed | Jose Rizal
  • This briefer story cannot but be a repetition of the facts and a synopsis of the fuller statement of them.

  • Enough of its plan and purpose has been given in former chapters to make a synopsis of it unnecessary here.

  • Sidenotes giving a running synopsis of the text have been kept as close as possible to their original format and location.

British Dictionary definitions for synopsis

synopsis

/ (sɪˈnɒpsɪs) /


nounplural -ses (-siːz)
  1. a condensation or brief review of a subject; summary

Origin of synopsis

1
C17: via Late Latin from Greek sunopsis, from syn- + opsis view

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012