The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Synopsis \Syn*op"sis\, n.; pl. Synopses. [L., from Gr. ?; sy`n
   with, together + ? a sight, view, from the root seen in E.
   optic.]
   A general view, or a collection of heads or parts so arranged
   as to exhibit a general view of the whole; an abstract or
   summary of a discourse; a syllabus; a conspectus.
   [1913 Webster]

         That the reader may see in one view the exactness of
         the method, as well as force of the argument, I shall
         here draw up a short synopsis of this epistle. --Bp.
                                                  Warburton.
   [1913 Webster]

   Syn: Abridgment; compendium; epitome; abstract; summary;
        syllabus; conspectus. See Abridgment.
        [1913 Webster] Synoptic

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

synopsis
    n 1: a sketchy summary of the main points of an argument or
         theory [syn: outline, synopsis, abstract, precis]