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
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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Précis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pr%C3%A9cis. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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