Word Study
compendium
CIDE DICTIONARY
compendium, n. [L. compendium that which is weighed, saved, or shortened, a short way, fr. compendere to weigh; com- + pendere to weigh. See Pension, and cf. Compend.].
A brief compilation or composition, containing the principal heads, or general principles, of a larger work or system; an abridgment; an epitome; a compend; a condensed summary. [1913 Webster]
"A short system or compendium of a science."
Syn. -- See Abridgment.
OXFORD DICTIONARY
compendium, n. (pl. compendiums or compendia)
1 esp. Brit. a usu. one-volume handbook or encyclopaedia.
2 a a summary or abstract of a larger work. b an abridgement.
3 a a collection of games in a box. b any collection or mixture.
4 a package of writing paper, envelopes, etc.
1 esp. Brit. a usu. one-volume handbook or encyclopaedia.
2 a a summary or abstract of a larger work. b an abridgement.
3 a a collection of games in a box. b any collection or mixture.
4 a package of writing paper, envelopes, etc.
Etymology
L, = what is weighed together, f. compendere (as COM-, pendere weigh)
THESAURUS
compendium
Baedeker, abbreviation, abbreviature, abrege, abridgment, abstract, brief, capsule, compend, condensation, condensed version, conspectus, digest, draft, enchiridion, epitome, guide, guidebook, head, manual, outline, overview, pandect, precis, review, rubric, shortened version, skeleton, sketch, survey, syllabus, synopsis, thumbnail sketch, topical outline, vade mecumROGET THESAURUS
compendium
Compendium
N compend, compendium, abstract, precis, epitome, multum in parvo, analysis, pandect, digest, sum and substance, brief, abridgment, summary, apercu, draft, minute, note, excerpt, synopsis, textbook, conspectus, outlines, syllabus, contents, heads, prospectus, album, scrap book, note book, memorandum book, commonplace book, extracts, excerpta, cuttings, fugitive pieces, fugitive writing, spicilegium, flowers, anthology, collectanea, analecta, compilation, recapitulation, resume, review, abbreviation, abbreviature, contraction, shortening, compression, compendious, synoptic, analectic, abrege, abridged, variorum, in short, in epitome, in substance, in few words, it lies in a nutshell.Contraction
N contraction, reduction, diminution, decrease of size, defalcation, decrement, lessening, shrinking, compaction, tabes, collapse, emaciation, attenuation, tabefaction, consumption, marasmus, atrophy, systole, neck, hourglass, condensation, compression, compactness, compendium, squeezing, strangulation, corrugation, astringency, astringents, sclerotics, contractility, compressibility, coarctation, inferiority in size, contracting, astringent, shrunk, contracted, strangulated, tabid, wizened, stunted, waning, neap, compact, unexpanded &c (expand), contractile, compressible, smaller &c (small).For further exploring for "compendium" in Webster Dictionary Online
