Précis
/ˈpreɪ.siː/noun
A concise summary of a text or speech.
Did you know?The word comes from Latin praecidere, “to cut off,” the same root behind surgical and decision-making vocabulary such as incision and decide.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kaid-
“To cut or strike”
Classical Latin
Latin
praecīdere
“To cut off, cut short, or abridge”
Classical Latin
Latin
praecīsus
“Cut off or shortened”
17th Century
French
précis
“Brief or abridged; a summary”
18th Century
English
précis
“A concise summary of a speech or writing”
Modern English
English
précis
“A condensed account preserving the essential points”