précis

[prey-see, prey-see]

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noun, plural pré·cis [prey-seez, prey-seez] /preɪˈsiz, ˈpreɪ siz/.

a concise summary.

verb (used with object)

to make a précis of.

Origin of précis

1750–60; < French, noun use of adj., literally, cut short. See precise

Can be confusedprécis precise

Synonyms for précis

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1. digest, condensation, abstract.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for precis

condensation, abridgement, abstract, synopsis, epitome, digest

Examples from the Web for precis

Historical Examples of precis

There is also a brief and characteristic 'Precis de ma vie', dated November 17, 1797.
The Memoires of Casanova, Complete
Jacques Casanova de Seingalt
Such is a precis of this strange entry, the discovery of which, vague as it was, thrilled us with hope and excitement.
Ayesha
H. Rider Haggard
It is, in fact, a precis of the "Instruction Book," which deals with everything a police officer should know and be.
Scotland Yard
George Dilnot
The monkey ate various forms of Precis (a Vanessid), after which it was given Acraea halali.
Mimicry in Butterflies
Reginald Crundall Punnett
In submitting a precis of the gospel narratives I have not implied any estimate either of their credibility or of their truth.
Preface to Androcles and the Lion
George Bernard Shaw

British Dictionary definitions for precis

precis

prcis

noun plural precis or précis (ˈpreɪsiːz)

a summary of the essentials of a text; abstract

verb

(tr) to make a precis of

Word Origin for precis

C18: from French: precise

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

Word Origin and History for precis

1760, from French noun use of Middle French précis "cut short, condensed" (see precise). As a verb, from 1856.