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.
[ L, = what is weighed together, f. compendere (as COM-, pendere weigh) ]