Pl. synopses. [a. late L. synopsis (whence It. sinossi, Sp. sinopsis, Pg. synopsis), a. Gr. σύνοψις general view, f. σύν SYN- + ὄψις view (cf. συνορᾶν to see altogether).]
1. A brief or condensed statement presenting a combined or general view of something; a table, or set of paragraphs or headings, so arranged as to exhibit all the parts or divisions of a subject or work at one view; a conspectus.
1611. Coryat, Crudities, 432. He hath written a synopsis of the history of man.
1644. Milton, Areop. (Arb.), 64. The infinit helps of interlinearies, breviaries, synopses, and other loitering gear.
1678. Cudworth, Intell. Syst., Pref. 6. We shall exhibit to the reader’s view a brief and general synopsis of the whole following work.
1692. Ray, in Lett. Lit. Men (Camden), 199. I am now upon a methodical Synopsis of all British Animals except Insects.
1771. Burke, Corr. (1844), I. 262. I have now gone minutely through your last tour, and the synopsis, with which you have … closed it.
1844. Sir R. Griffith (title), A Synopsis of the Characters of the Carboniferous Limestone Fossils of Ireland.
1856. N. Brit. Rev., XXVI. 17. A considerable portion of this Essay consists of summary statements, or abridged recitals of the staple Christian argument…. These synopses, or condensed evidences,… are characteristic of Chalmers.
1879. Cassell’s Techn. Educ., IV. 221/2. Below we give a synopsis of the foregoing, that the painter may have a concise view of the entire process.
transf. 1652. Evelyn, St. France, Misc. Writ. (1805), 50. The Netherlands … which is a perfect encycle and synopsis of whatever one may see elsewhere in all the other countryes of Europe.
2. A general view or prospect, as of a landscape. rare.
1881. Baddeley, Highl. Scot., 68. The Knock of Crieff … commands a synopsis of all that is beautiful around.
3. Eastern Ch. A book of prayers for the use of the laity (see quot.).
1850. Neale, East. Church, Gen. Introd., IV. iii. 890. I hardly can reckon … The Synopsis, as Office-Books. These are mere compilations … of such prayers as are most likely to be needed in the attendance on the Divine Offices.
Hence Synopsize v. trans. (U.S.), to make a synopsis of, to epitomize.
1853. Charleston Daily Courier, 14 Jan., 2/2. We have synopsized the above in the hope of bringing it more prominently to the notice of the profession and public than the pages of a magazine, however wide its circulation, could perhaps do.
1882. Advance (Chicago), 27 July. Now as for our faith. You have synopsized it.
1890. Harper’s Mag., Nov., 965/2. The chapter … which we have been here synopsizing.
