[ad. L. summārium, neut. sing. of summārius (see next).]
1. A summary account or statement.
1509. in Leadam, Sel. Cases Star Chamber (Selden Soc.), I. 200. To make a breuiat wodurwise called a summary of al his charteris.
1539. Tonstall, Serm. Palm Sund. (1823), 48. This confession conteyneth the hole summarye of our faythe.
1541–3. Act 34 & 35 Hen. VIII., c. 1 § 4. The … cutting out of any quotacion or summaryes of chapiters expressed … in any suche Bybles.
1596. Shaks., Merch. V., III. ii. 131. Here’s the scroule, The continent, and summarie of my fortune.
1638. Chillingw., Relig. Prot., I. iv. § 26. 205. The Apostles Creed is the Summary and Abridgment of that faith which is necessary for a Christian.
1724. Waterland, Athanas. Creed, iv. 63. Closing This Chapter … with a Table representing a Summary, or short Sketch of what hath been done in it.
1865. Pusey, Truth Engl. Ch., 237. What he draws out at length is stated in summary … by Divines or Canonists in the Roman Communion.
1878. R. W. Dale, Lect. Preach., viii. 231. Sometimes when I have finished a book I give a summary of the whole of it.
1880. Haughton, Phys. Geog., v. 219. The following summary of the North American lakes.
Comb. 1884. E. Yates, Recoll., II. iv. 144. The important office of summary-writer in the House of Commons.
† 2. The sum and substance of. Obs. rare.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. VII., 11. The summarye of their commyssion was to conclude a truce for a tyme.
1621. T. Williamson, trans. Goulart’s Wise Vieillard, 126. An aduise to wise old men, conteining the summarie and substance of their dutie.
3. The highest point or summit; also, the ultimate outcome. rare.
1851. Carlyle, Sterling, II. ii. This battle … of ‘all old things passing away’ against ‘all things becoming new,’ has its summary and animating heart in that of Radicalism against Church. Ibid. (1858), Fredk. Gt., X. i. (1872), III. 198. A pleasant Lake…: the summary, or outfall, of which … is called the Rhein. Ibid. (1866), Inaug. Addr., 176. Valour … the crown and summary of all that is ennobling for a man.
