briefly
Variant of brief
brief
definition
brief (brēf)
adjective
- of short duration or extent
- short in length
- using relatively few words; concise
- curt or abrupt
Etymology: ME < OFr bref < L brevis < IE base *mreĝhu-, short > merry, Gr brachys
noun
- a summary or abstract
- a concise statement of the main points of a law case, usually filed by counsel for the information of the court
- Chiefly Brit. a set of instructions for the participants in some project, investigation, etc., indicating the scope of their responsibilities: often used figuratively
- R.C.Ch. a papal letter less formal than a bull
- closefitting, legless undershorts
- 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
- to make a summary of
- to supply with all the pertinent instructions or information to brief pilots before a flight
- Brit.
- to furnish with a legal brief
- to hire as counsel
brief Idioms
hold a brief for
to argue for or be in favor of
in brief
in short; in a few words
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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