précises

Précises is the feminine plural form of the French adjective précis, meaning exact, accurate, or clearly defined. It is used to describe feminine plural nouns, for example: des mesures précises, des instructions précises, des données précises. The form signals agreement with a feminine plural subject or object.

Grammatical notes: The masculine singular form is précis, and the feminine singular form is précise. Because précises is the feminine plural, it occurs when the noun it modifies is both feminine and plural. There is also a masculine noun précis meaning a concise summary, but précises as a noun is not standard; when referring to precision as a concept, the noun is précision.

Etymology and usage: Précis comes from Latin roots associated with cutting or defining clearly, which evolved in French to convey sharpness of detail and exactness. In contemporary French, précises is common in technical, scientific, legal, and descriptive writing, where precise details and exact measurements are required. It can appear in both formal and semi-formal registers, and a range of feminine plural nouns can be paired with it.

Related terms: Précis is related to précison and précision, the latter being the noun form for the quality of being precise; the verb préciser means to specify or clarify. The adjective characteristically contrasts with vague or approximative language, and editors often choose précises to emphasize rigorous exactness.

See also: précis, précision, préciser.