précis

American  

[prey-see, prey-see] / preɪˈsi, ˈpreɪ si /

noun

plural

précis

1. a concise summary.

   Synonyms:

   abstract, condensation, digest

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verb (used with object)

1. to make a précis of.

precis British  

/ ˈpreɪsiː /

noun

1. a summary of the essentials of a text; abstract

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verb

1. (tr) to make a precis of

Etymology

Origin of précis

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

Example Sentences

A précis of Elmer’s early life in Maine is run through by members of the eight-person cast in the bouncy, no-nonsense manner of a graphic novel.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2025

He segued into a précis of his political life, starting when he was a 29-year-old senator.

From Slate • Mar. 8, 2024

Un autre invader, le poing levé, domine le lieu précis d’où sont parties les manifestations d’étudiants de la Sorbonne en 1968.

From New York Times • Feb. 12, 2023

It made you précis in a really creative way.

From The Guardian • May 22, 2020

The following is a précis of a letter of Rose to Tomline which is among the Pretyman MSS.:

From William Pitt and the Great War by Rose, John Holland