précis
noun
pré·cis
prā-ˈsē 
ˈprā-(ˌ)sē
ˈprā-(ˌ)sē
plural précis
prā-ˈsēz
ˈprā-(ˌ)sēz
: a concise summary of essential points, statements, or facts
Synonyms
Examples of précis in a Sentence
a précis of the book's plot
a précis of the bill that the legislature is currently considering
Recent Examples on the Web
The precis, however, is that modern Mexico is thrilling and thriving.
—
María José Gonzálvez, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2023
Editor in chief Stan Lee would often give Jack Kirby the precis of a plot, then leave it to the artist to lay out each page, sketch the appropriate pictures, and even write the narration and dialogue.
—Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2023
Since real-life sports commentary also offers potted precis of relevant biographical information, this proves a handy way to unobtrusively shade in backstory.
—Catherine Bray, Variety, 3 Sep. 2023
Here's some of the precis of the PBS documentary: Everyone can tell a Nubian from a Norwegian, so why not divide people into different races?
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 14 Dec. 2010
And Marketplace of the Gods serves as a decent precis of the literature, and its bibliography is well worth perusing.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 25 June 2010
Mitchell is not merely giving a precis of an era in Black entertainment and film history — though Is That Black Enough?!?
—K. Austin Collins, Rolling Stone, 16 Nov. 2022
The English tests included making a 250-word precis of four pages of text, answering questions on extracts from Dickens and Sheridan, and writing an essay on one of the following:
Popularity as a test of merit.
—Hedley Sutton, Quartz India, 19 Aug. 2019
Journalist-historian Jon Meacham offered a more contemplative precis devoid of the inflammatory.
—vanityfair.com, 30 June 2017
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
María José Gonzálvez, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2023
Editor in chief Stan Lee would often give Jack Kirby the precis of a plot, then leave it to the artist to lay out each page, sketch the appropriate pictures, and even write the narration and dialogue.
—Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2023
Since real-life sports commentary also offers potted precis of relevant biographical information, this proves a handy way to unobtrusively shade in backstory.
—Catherine Bray, Variety, 3 Sep. 2023
Here's some of the precis of the PBS documentary: Everyone can tell a Nubian from a Norwegian, so why not divide people into different races?
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 14 Dec. 2010
And Marketplace of the Gods serves as a decent precis of the literature, and its bibliography is well worth perusing.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 25 June 2010
Mitchell is not merely giving a precis of an era in Black entertainment and film history — though Is That Black Enough?!?
—K. Austin Collins, Rolling Stone, 16 Nov. 2022
The English tests included making a 250-word precis of four pages of text, answering questions on extracts from Dickens and Sheridan, and writing an essay on one of the following:
Popularity as a test of merit.
—Hedley Sutton, Quartz India, 19 Aug. 2019
Journalist-historian Jon Meacham offered a more contemplative precis devoid of the inflammatory.
—vanityfair.com, 30 June 2017
Dictionary Entries Near précis
Cite this Entry
“Précis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pr%C3%A9cis. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share