Etymologically
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summary

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 03:12. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˈsʌm.ər.i/[1]

Etymology

The adjective is borrowed from Medieval Latin summārius (“of the sum or substance”),[2][3][4] from Latin summa (“whole, totality, gist”) (see sum) and the suffix -ārius.[3][5] The noun, from 1509, is from Latin summārium “an epitome, abstract”.[3][2][5]

Earliest recorded meaning

Of a statement, containing only the main points: 1432–50 in the OED, in a translation of Higden's Polychronicon,[6][3] and Etymonline has the early 15th century.[6][3][2]

Semantic evolution

The noun, a summary account, followed in 1509.[6][3] The sense “done promptly, without delay or formality” is from Swift's Cadenus and Vanessa (1713),[3][2] and in law summary proceedings, carried out quickly without a jury, are from 1765–8.[6] Summarize is from 1871.[3]

Timeline

  • 1432–50 – the adjective, brief.[6]
  • 1509 – the noun.[6][3]
  • 1713 – done without delay.[3]
  • 1765–8 – in law, summary proceedings.[6]
  • 1871 – summarize.[3]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. A short account of the main points of something; an abstract.

Adjective

  1. Giving the main points; concise.
  2. Done quickly and without formality: a summary execution.
  3. (law) Of proceedings, short and without the delays of a full trial.

Word family

  • summarily
  • summariness
  • summarize
  • summary court-martial
  • summary judgment

References

  1. ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
  2. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
  4. ^ Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ a b Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press