- brief
- brief [brēf]adj.[ME < OFr bref < L brevis < IE base * mreĝhu-, short > MERRY, Gr brachys]1. of short duration or extent2. short in length3. using relatively few words; concise4. curt or abruptn.[ME bref < OFr < LL breve < L, neut. of brevis: see BRIEF adj.]1. a summary or abstract2. a concise statement of the main points of a law case, usually filed by counsel for the information of the court3. Chiefly Brit. a set of instructions for the participants in some project, investigation, etc., indicating the scope of their responsibilities: often used figuratively4. R.C.Ch. a papal letter less formal than a bull5. [pl.]a) closefitting, legless undershortsb) women's panties that cover the body from the waist to the legvt.1. to make a summary of2. to supply with all the pertinent instructions or information [to brief pilots before a flight]3. Brit.a) to furnish with a legal briefb) to hire as counselSYN.- ABRIDGMENT——————hold a brief forto argue for or be in favor of——————in briefin short; in a few wordsbrieflyadv.briefnessn.SYN.- BRIEF and SHORT are opposites of long in their application to duration [a brief or short interval ], although BRIEF often emphasizes compactness, conciseness, etc. [a brief review ] and SHORT often implies incompleteness or curtailment [a short measure, to make short work of it ]; SHORT is usually used where linear extent is referred to [a short man ] –ANT. LONG1
English World dictionary. V. Neufeldt. 2014.