compendium

noun

com·​pen·​di·​um kəm-ˈpen-dē-əm 

plural compendiums or compendia kəm-ˈpen-dē-ə 

1

: a brief summary of a larger work or of a field of knowledge : abstract

a one-volume compendium of the multivolume original

2

a

: a list of a number of items

b

: collection, compilation

a compendium of folk tales

Synonyms

• album
• anthology
• collectanea
• compilation
• florilegium
• miscellany
• reader

Examples of compendium in a Sentence

a one-volume compendium of information

He published a compendium of folk tales.

Recent Examples on the Web

Rather than an interrogation of the beliefs of particular people at a particular place and time, Tokarczuk’s novel presents an undifferentiated compendium of eternal misogyny. —Robert Rubsam, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2024

And the Fed’s own Beige Book was nothing more than a compendium of emerging softness in consumption. —Robert Barone, Forbes, 13 Sep. 2024

Courtesy of Prime Video Tolkien expounded upon the powers of the rings in a letter gathered in a compendium. —Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 12 Sep. 2024

Fertility and childbirth are recurring concerns, with one medical compendium advising readers to wear a charm made from weasel testicles to prevent conception and another recounting the legend of St. Margaret, the Christian protector of pregnant women. —Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin, from Latin, saving, shortcut, from compendere to weigh together, from com- + pendere to weigh — more at pendant

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1