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summary

n. · adj.
US //ˈsəmɝi// UK //sˈʌməɹi// sum·ma·ry
  1. 1 a short version (n.)
    B1 Intermediate General-service

    a short statement that gives the main points of something longer, like a book or a meeting.

    a brief statement or account of the main points of something. Countable in general usage.

    Example

    At the end of the chapter, there is a short summary of the main events.

    Example

    The executive summary provided a concise overview of the project's financial projections without delving into the technical minutiae of the engineering phase.
  2. 2 brief and condensed (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    short and containing only the most important information.

    brief or condensed in form; presenting the substance of a matter in a concise manner.

    Example

    The reporter gave a summary account of the day's events in the city.

    Example

    The professor requested a summary report of the findings, emphasizing that brevity was more important than exhaustive detail for this initial review.
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  1. 3 done quickly without ceremony (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    done immediately and quickly, often without following the usual rules or ceremonies.

    performed speedily and without formal ceremony; often implies a lack of due process or deliberation.

    Example

    The manager's summary dismissal of the employee's ideas upset the whole team.

    Example

    The summary execution of the prisoners without a trial was condemned by international human rights organizations as a violation of global law.
  2. 4 legal proceedings (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Formal Law

    describes a legal process that happens quickly without a full, long trial.

    relating to or denoting legal proceedings conducted without the traditional requirement of a full jury trial.

    Example

    The judge issued a summary judgment because the facts of the case were very clear.

    Example

    The defence moved for a summary judgment, arguing that the prosecution had failed to provide any evidence that could legally sustain a conviction.

    Usage

    Commonly used in the phrase 'summary judgment'.
Etymology 1

From Middle English summary, from Medieval Latin summārius, from Latin summa (“total, sum”) + -ārius (suffix forming adjectives).

Etymology 2

From Medieval Latin summārium, from Latin summa (“total, sum”) + -ārium (suffix forming nouns of purpose).

Word family

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