synopsis

noun

Etymology: From Late Latin synopsis, itself from Ancient Greek σύνοψις (súnopsis), from σύν (sún, “with or whole”) + ὄψις (ópsis, “view”) meaning whole view.

1. A brief summary of the major points of a written work, either as prose or as a table; an abridgment or condensation of a work.

   “The following Synopsis is intended as a monograph of those species of the order hitherto discovered…”

   “In the following synopsis of the history of the United States the principal events are briefly mentioned…”

2. A reference work containing brief articles that taken together give an overview of an entire field.
3. A prayer book for use by the laity of the church.