'compendium' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'compendium', where the prefix 'com-' meant 'together' and the root related to 'pendere/pend-' meant 'to weigh, to hang'.

'compendium' passed from Latin into Late Latin and Medieval Latin with the sense of 'a saving, short cut' or 'a summary', and entered Middle English as 'compendium', later forming the modern English 'compendium' and its plural 'compendia'.

Initially it referred to 'a saving' or 'a short way' (i.e., a means to save time or effort), and over time it evolved into the current meaning of 'a concise summary or collection of information.'