brief

brief [brēf]

adj.

[ME < OFr bref < L brevis < IE base * mreĝhu-, short > MERRY, Gr brachys]

1. of short duration or extent

2. short in length

3. using relatively few words; concise

4. curt or abrupt

n.

[ME bref < OFr < LL breve < L, neut. of brevis: see BRIEF adj.]

1. a summary or abstract

2. a concise statement of the main points of a law case, usually filed by counsel for the information of the court

3. Chiefly Brit. a set of instructions for the participants in some project, investigation, etc., indicating the scope of their responsibilities: often used figuratively

4. R.C.Ch. a papal letter less formal than a bull

5. [pl.]

a) closefitting, legless undershorts

b) women's panties that cover the body from the waist to the leg

vt.

1. to make a summary of

2. to supply with all the pertinent instructions or information [to brief pilots before a flight]

3. Brit.

a) to furnish with a legal brief

b) to hire as counsel

SYN.- ABRIDGMENT

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hold a brief for

to argue for or be in favor of

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in brief

in short; in a few words

briefly

adv.

briefness

n.

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