Compendium, n.; pl. E. Compendiums, L. Compendia.
Etymology: [L. compendium that which is wieghed, saved, or shortened, a short way, fr. compendere to weigh; com- + pendere to weigh. See Pension, and cf. Compend.]
A brief compilation or composition, containing the principal heads, or general principles, of a larger work or system; an abridgment; an epitome; a compend; a condensed summary. A short system or compendium of a sience. I. Watts.
Syn. -- See Abridgment.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for compendium; he lists it under abridgment.
Where he writes about it:
An epitome, compend, or compendium is a condensed view of a subject, whether derived from a previous publication or not. — from abridgment
We may have an epitome of religion, a compendium of English literature, but not an abridgment. — from abridgment
Antonyms
none given