brief

Forms

1.Of short duration; happening quickly.
- Her reign was brief but spectacular.
- That brief moment after the election four years ago, when many Americans thought Mr. Obama’s election would presage a new, less fractious political era, now seems very much a thing of the past.
2.Concise; taking few words.
- His speech of acceptance was brief but moving.
3.Occupying a small distance, area or spatial extent; short.
- Her skirt was extremely brief but doubtless cool.
- On the beach he always wore a straw hat with a red band and a brief pair of leopard print trunks.

1.A writ summoning one to answer; an official letter or mandate.
- It was in vain that the bishop published a new papal brief, declaring valid the excommunications which he had issued, and those of the inquisitors to be null, and requiring them to seek absolution from him.
2.An answer to any action.
- A written answer or any other brief shall be submitted to the court while allowing a period necessary for the opponent to make preparations with regard to the matters stated therein.
3.A memorandum of points of fact or of law for use in conducting a case.
4.A position of interest or advocacy.
- Mrs. Hope was, we believe, a convert to the Roman Catholic Church, and neither she nor her editor conceals the fact that they hold a brief for the Pope and for Catharine against Henry VIII.

1.To summarize a recent development to some person with decision-making power.
- The U.S. president was briefed on the military coup and its implications on African stability.
- It is being briefed that Southeastern operations will return to the private sector, and that use of the Operator of Last Resort team will be a temporary arrangement.
- Lubbers was briefed by Shanghai Mayor Jiang Zemin on the city's economic situation, and this evening, Lubbers attended a banquet hosted by the Shanghai Municipal Governoment^([sic – meaning Government]).

Uncommon· #2463

Etymology tree

Proto-Indo-European *mreǵʰ-

Proto-Indo-European *-us

Proto-Indo-European *mréǵʰusder.

Proto-Italic *breɣʷis

Latin brevisder.

Old French briefbor.

Old French brievebor.

Middle English bref

English brief