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summary Definition

sum·mary (sum′ə rē)

adjective

  1. that presents the substance or general idea in brief form; summarizing; concise; condensed
    1. prompt and without formality; expeditious summary punishment
    2. hasty and arbitrary a summary dismissal

Etymology: ME < ML summarius < L summa, sum

noun pl. -·ries

a brief statement or account covering the substance or main points; digest; abridgment; compendium

Etymology: L summarium: see summarythe

summary Related Forms
sum·mar′i·ly (sə mer′ə lē) adverb sum′·ma·ri·ness noun
summary Synonyms

summary

n.

outline, epitome, digest, synopsis, abstract, recapitulation, rundown, abbreviation, abridgment, capitulation, paraphrase, compendium, résumé, essence, précis, extract, skeleton, brief, conspectus, prospectus, reduction, version, core, report, review, minutes, sense, essentials, case, survey, sketch, syllabus, condensation, summing-up, summation, pandect, aperçu, sum and substance, roundup, recap*, the long and short of a thing*, wrap-up*. *

Antonyms expansion, amplification, elaboration. See syn. study at abridgment.abridgment.

summary Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • finding: A summary of the findings from these earlier studies is given below.
  • response: The LCD would provide a summary of responses by the end of March.

Converse of object

  • read: You can download a full report of the seminar proceedings in Adobe Acrobat format, or read the summary below.
  • contain: Future releases of the manual will contain the summary of the results.

Adjective modifier

  • brief: Finally you will be provided with a brief summary of the software you have selected.
  • executive: An HTML version of the executive summary is also now available.
  • concise: A concise summary of the Belbin team roles is given.
  • succinct: It is hoped that the England Council will produce a succinct summary, based on the discussions that have occurred.
  • short: I have included a very short summary of each item indicating its main points of interest.
  • quick: Can you give me a quick summary of the whole process?

Modifies a noun

  • conviction: The maximum penalty on summary conviction is currently £ 20,000.
  • judgment: For good measure, they have agreed they will submit to applications for summary judgment.
  • execution: Summary Executions Mass executions continue to be reported by Kosovar Albanian refugees throughout the province.
  • dismissal: In certain circumstances other matters not listed above may also be considered serious enough to warrant summary dismissal.
  • statistic: Summary statistics reports can also be received by e-mail daily, weekly or monthly.
  • report: Updated summary report on the progress of the lexicon.

Noun used with modifier

  • two-paragraph: A one- or two-paragraph summary plus URL gets you a better announcement than an entire press release.
  • plot: The spelling in the plot summary leaves a lot to be desired!
  • evaluation: Key Stage 1 content evaluation summary: ' ' What's the time Mr Wolf?
  • discharge: The discharge summary should contain details of arrangements for follow up and management.