Define precis. precis synonyms, precis pronunciation, precis translation, English dictionary definition of precis. n. pl. pré cis A concise summary of a book, article, or other text; an abstract. tr.v. précised , précis ing , précis es To make a précis of.
I know she goes in for giving a rapid precis of all her guests. 1981, Tracy Kidder, chapter 1, in The Soul of a New Machine: 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.
A precis is a brief summary of a book, article, speech, or text. The basic characteristics are conciseness, clarity, completeness, and coherence.