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brief Definition

brief (brēf)

adjective

  1. of short duration or extent
  2. short in length
  3. using relatively few words; concise
  4. curt or abrupt

Etymology: ME < OFr bref < L brevis < IE base *mreĝhu-, short > merry, Gr brachys

noun

  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
    1. closefitting, legless undershorts
    2. women's panties that cover the body from the waist to the leg

Etymology: ME bref < OFr < LL breve < L, neut. of brevis: see brief

transitive verb

  1. to make a summary of
  2. to supply with all the pertinent instructions or information to brief pilots before a flight
  3. Brit.
    1. to furnish with a legal brief
    2. to hire as counsel

brief Related Forms
brief′ly adverb brief′·ness noun
brief Idioms

hold a brief for

to argue for or be in favor of

in brief

in short; in a few words

brief Synonyms

brief

modif.

  1. Short in time

    short, fleeting, concise; see fleeting, short 2.

  2. Short in space

    skimpy, scanty, slight, small; see short 1.

  3. Abrupt

    hasty, curt, brusque; see abrupt 2. See syn. study at short.

brief Synonyms

brief

v.

  1. To summarize

    epitomize, recapitulate, abridge; see decrease 2, summarize.

  2. To inform

    prime, advise, instruct; see notify 1, prepare 1.

brief Law Definition

n

A written statement prepared by a lawyer and submitted to the court that outlines the pertinent facts of the case, the questions of law to be decided, the position of the lawyer’s client as to those questions, and the legal arguments and authorities (for example, statutes and appellate court decisions) that support that position. See also memorandum.
amicus brief
The brief submitted by an amicus curiae. Also called brief amicus curiae.
appellate brief
A brief submitted when the case is on appeal.
reply brief
A brief that responds to the arguments previously raised in an opponent’s brief.
trial brief
A brief usually submitted just before a trial.
brief Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • watch: Irons held a watching brief in 3rd happy to keep his nearest rival Humphries behind him.
  • prepare: We will normally prepare a conservation brief which will be made available to you so the scope and costs of adaptation can be considered.
  • interpret: We are leaving it open for schools to interpret the brief in the way that is most appropriate for them.
  • agree: There was some variation to the terms of the original brief agreed on site with the Archeologist.

Adjective modifier

  • detailed: At Acumen Europa, the interim management process starts once we have taken a detailed brief from a client.
  • visionary: Participants were asked to devise a visionary brief responding to the following prompts: What are these new visionary social and environmental propositions?
  • challenging: The GEDT team works on a challenging brief specified by industrial partners that is industrially relevant at the time.
  • initial: You will be involved in all aspects of the project from initial brief through to budgets and planning.
  • written: Having said that, I recently had to prepare a proposal on the basis of a written brief provided by the client.

Modifies a noun

  • description: Here is a brief description of some of the websites we have designed - we hope you will enjoy them.
  • overview: Content of the module includes a brief overview of the history of the language.
  • summary: Finally you will be provided with a brief summary of the software you have selected.
  • introduction: There is a brief introduction to The Logic of Document Style.
  • outline: Here is a brief outline of some of the main points.
  • explanation: Each application heading has a brief explanation of its use.

Noun used with modifier

  • amicus: The trio of retired officers recently filed a Supreme Court amicus brief on behalf of 16 detainees held for almost two years.
  • watching: In 1988 a watching brief was carried out during the excavation of a trench for an electricity cable to light the ticket office.
  • hipster: Recently there was a very successful this season with designer hipster briefs which sold phenomenally.
  • design: The design brief was for new purpose built premises for Rambert Dance Company.
  • planning: A planning brief has been presented to Kingston council, which controls the Chessington area.
brief Quotes

The process of learning is accompanied by alternations of pain and brief quickenings that resemble pain.

—Wilder,Thornton Niven

I hold no brief for private enterprise.But I have unshakeable faith in individual enterprise.

—Burton, C(harles) L(uther)

  Architects cannot work in a vacuum; unlike other artists theyare totally dependent on a site, a brief and finance.

—Rogers, Richard George Rogers, Baron

Browse dictionary entries near brief

  1. ‹ brie (cheese)
  2. ‹ brie
  3. ‹ bridoon
  4. ‹ bridle-wise
  5. ‹ bridle path
  6. ‹ bridle
  7. ‹ Bridgman
  8. ‹ bridging
  9. ‹ bridgework
  10. ‹ Bridgetown
  1. brief of title ›
  2. briefcase ›
  3. briefer ›
  4. briefing ›
  5. briefless ›
  6. briefly ›
  7. brier ›
  8. brierroot ›
  9. brierwood ›
  10. brig ›