compendium

[ kuhm-pen-dee-uhm ]

noun

, plural com·pen·di·ums, com·pen·di·a [k, uh, m-, pen, -dee-, uh].

1. a brief treatment or account of a subject, especially an extensive subject; concise treatise:

   a compendium of medicine.

   Synonyms: conspectus, digest, survey

2. a summary, epitome, or abridgment.
3. a full list or inventory:

   a compendium of their complaints.

compendium

/ kəmˈpɛndɪəm /

noun

1. a book containing a collection of useful hints
2. a selection, esp of different games or other objects in one container
3. a concise but comprehensive summary of a larger work

Word History and Origins

Origin of compendium¹

1575–85; < Latin: gain, saving, shortcut, abridgment, equivalent to com- com- + pend- (stem of pendere to cause to hang down, weigh) + -ium -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of compendium¹

C16: from Latin: a saving, literally: something weighed, from pendere to weigh

Example Sentences

The organisation wants to see the Crown Court Compendium, which provides guidance on directing the jury, updated with the latest research into understanding sexual violence.

From BBC

The global dining compendium just added three L.A. restaurants to its statewide guide, including modern Korean restaurant Baroo and others.

From Los Angeles Times

A compendium of Latin American folk tales.

From Los Angeles Times

The global dining compendium just added three L.A. restaurants to its statewide guide, including modern Korean restaurant Baroo and others.

From Los Angeles Times

“Science isn’t a compendium of facts, it’s a process,” she says.

From Science Magazine