synopsis
nounUK /sɪˈnɒpsɪs/ · US /sɪˈnɑpsɪs/
Etymology From Late Latin synopsis, itself from Ancient Greek σύνοψις (súnopsis), from σύν (sún, “with or whole”) + ὄψις (ópsis, “view”) meaning whole view.
1
Communications, Journalism, Literature, Media, Publishing, Writing A brief summary of the major points of a written work, either as prose or as a table; an abridgment or condensation of a work.
- The following Synopsis is intended as a monograph of those species of the order hitherto discovered…1869, Edward Drinker Cope, Synopsis of the Extinct Batrachia and Reptilia of North America. Part I.:
- In the following synopsis of the history of the United States the principal events are briefly mentioned…1914, Chandler B. Beach, Frank Morton McMurry (eds.), The New Student’s Reference Work:
1 more example
- A Synopsis, on the other hand, should be short enough and general enough so that a person who has not yet begun to study the language can follow it…1971, Earl W. Stevick, Adapting and Writing Language Lessons/Appendix M:
2
A reference work containing brief articles that taken together give an overview of an entire field.
3
Christianity A prayer book for use by the laity of the church.
- Derived terms
- synopsize
- Related terms
- synoptic, synoptical, synoptically, synoptist, bird's-eye view