[‘ A great deal in a small space.']
Pronunciation: Brit. /ˌmʌltəm ɪn ˈpɑːvəʊ/, U.S. /ˌməlt(ə)m ɪn ˈpɑrˌvoʊ/
Etymology: < post-classical Latin /multum in parvo/ (apparently not found earlier than in quot. 1653) < classical Latin /multum/ much, plenty, a lot, use as noun of neuter of multus much (see multi- comb. form) + in/ in prep.2 + /parvō, ablative of parvus little (see parvi- comb. form).
Compare post-classical Latin /in parvo magnum/ (5th cent. in Augustine), taken up in 17th-cent. writers as magnum in parvo (1657 in Latin context in N. Billingsley Brachy-martyrologia, 1671 as a work title by Edward Cocker).
A great deal in a small space.
Freq. applied to an article, book, etc., which is brief but comprehensive. Freq. in work titles, esp. as popularized by E. Cocker: see quot. 1660.
1653 J. Mullins (title) Multum in parvo: or, a summary narrative..on behalfe of prisoners captived for debt.
1660 E. Cocker (title) Multum in parvo. Or the pen’s gallantrie.
1731 E. Thomas /Pylades & Corinna/ Preface p. xvi, After a most serious Discussion of this Point with herself, she formed the following Poem, intitled, Predestination: Or, The Resolution; which, considering the Dignity of the Subject, may be stiled Multum in Parvo.
1732 (title) Multum in parvo; or, the jubilee of jubilees.
1751 E. Haywood /Hist. Betsy Thoughtless/ II. p. iii, (table of contents) Chap. XIX. Is multum in parvo.
1825 S. Maunder (title) The little lexicon; or, Multum in parvo of the English language.
1828 C. A. Somerset /Day after Fair/ i. i, I may say, with justice, we are multum in parvo. We are no stars, sir, but suns.
1836 F. Marryat /Three Cutters/ i, This is the kitchen: is it not admirably arranged? What a multum in parvo!
1876 T. Hardy /Hand of Ethelberta/ II. xliii. 192 A multum-in-parvo pocket-knife.
1970 /Times/ 18 Apr. (Saturday Suppl.) p. iii/3 His two latest recorded works are little miracles of multum in parvo, in atmospheric evocation as well as compassion.
1996 /N.Y. Rev. Bks./ 11 Jan. 32/2 Explanations of Vermeer’s technique are models of clear, tactful exposition, which offer the visitor multum in parvo.