synopsis

Noun

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

a sketchy summary of the main points of an argument or theorySynonyms: outline abstract precis

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Synopsis \Syn*op"sis\, n.; pl. Synopses. [L., from Gr. ?; sy`n with, together + ? a sight, view, from the root seen in E. optic.] A general view, or a collection of heads or parts so arranged as to exhibit a general view of the whole; an abstract or summary of a discourse; a syllabus; a conspectus. [1913 Webster]

That the reader may see in one view the exactness of the method, as well as force of the argument, I shall here draw up a short synopsis of this epistle. --Bp. Warburton. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Abridgment; compendium; epitome; abstract; summary; syllabus; conspectus. See Abridgment. [1913 Webster] Synoptic