Précis
Pronunciation
- IPA: /ˈpreɪsiË/
Alternative forms
Origin
From French précis ("precise"), substantive use of the adjective.
Full definition of précis
Noun
précis
(plural précis)- A concise or abridged statement or view.
- 1890, Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Grey, ch. 1:I know she goes in for giving a rapid precis of all her guests.
- 1981, Tracy Kidder, The Soul of a New Machine, ch. 1:the computer is functioning, lights on it softly blinking as it produces on the screen beside it a series of graphs — ten years' worth of annual reports, a précis of Data General Corporation's financial history.
Verb
- to write a précis of a work; to summarise, abridge
- 1983, Philip Priestley, James McGuire, Learning to Help: Basic Skills Excercises, If the inital passage consists of a series of paragraphs, each with a one-sentence summary, the individual's success in managing to précis the essential content of the message can then be assessed
- 1996, Richard Palmer, Brain train: studying for success Chapter Creative Doodling: Note-taking for fun and profit, Nevertheless, to be required to précis say 5000 words on a single sheet of A4 has the advantage of simplicity, even if it isn’t easy.
- 2002, Colin Jones, The Great Nation, Penguin 2003, p. 28:Télémaque would not only be read widely in schools throughout the century, it would also be cited approvingly in the Encyclopédie, cherished by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, précised by Louis XVI, and its author saluted by Robespierre as ‘tutor to the human race’.
- 2005, Mike Cardwell, Cara Flanagan, Psychology AS: The Complete Companion, We think it is vital to learn how to précis, and to improve this skill with regular practice.
- 2007, Disability Rights Commission, Code of practice post-16: code of practice (revised) for providers of post-16 education and related services, She also asks if she can leave out the questions asking her to write a business letter and to précis because she feels that these questions would substantially disadvantage her because of her dyslexia. The education provider would not have to make this adjustment because these questions are there to determine her competence at writing and précising, so are part of the competence standard being tested.