I. ˈsəmərē, -ri sometimes -mr- adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin summarius, from Latin summa sum, whole + -arius -ary (adjective suffix) — more at sum
1.
a. : constituting or containing a summing up of points : covering the main points concisely : summarizing very briefly
a summary formulation of an enormously large situation — A.L.Kroeber
check the opening and summary sentences — S.C.Brownstein & Mitchel Weiner
a summary chapter
b. : lacking detailed explanation : brief , terse
a history of the Philosophic Neurosis, although that's a too summary name — Irwin Edman
2. obsolete : lacking specific detail : general
3. obsolete : supreme , maximum
4.
a. : done or occurring without delay or formality : quickly executed
violent outbursts of wrath and summary chastisements — Margaret Mead
the summary briskness of the drawing — R.M.Coates
no resentment at the summary way in which he has been treated — R.F.Kilvert
b. : of, relating to, or using a summary proceeding or procedure : used in or done by summary proceeding
a summary order
special summary courts
— opposed to plenary
c. : accomplished or performed too quickly with inadequate consideration, preparation, or space allotted
the letters to him reproduced here, summary and unimportant as many of them are — Times Literary Supplement
Synonyms: see concise
II. noun
( -es )
Etymology: Latin summarium, from summa + -arium -ary (n. suffix)
: a short restatement of the main points (as of an argument) for easier remembering, for better understanding, or for showing the relation of the points : recapitulation , résumé , summation
proceeded to give a brief summary of the points he had covered