Definition of "précis"

I know she goes in for giving a rapid precis of all her guests.

1891, Oscar Wilde, chapter I, in The Picture of Dorian Gray, London, New York, N.Y., Melbourne, Vic.: Ward Lock & Co.

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.

1981, Tracy Kidder, chapter 1, in The Soul of a New Machine

If the inital [sic] 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

1983, Philip Priestley, James McGuire, Learning to Help: Basic Skills Excercises‎, Counseling, page 71

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.

1996, Richard Palmer, “Creative Doodling: Note-taking for fun and profit”, in Brain train: studying for success‎, 2nd edition, Taylor & Francis, page 124

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’.

2002, Colin Jones, The Great Nation, Penguin, published 2003, page 28

We think it is vital to learn how to précis, and to improve this skill with regular practice.

2005, Mike Cardwell, Cara Flanagan, Psychology AS: The Complete Companion‎, Nelson Thornes, Module 2: Developmental psychology: Attachments in development, page 73

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.

2007, Disability Rights Commission, Code of practice post-16: code of practice (revised) for providers of post-16 education and related services‎, Large print version edition, The Stationery Office, page 101