brief

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   concise and succinct

   covered the matter in a brief statement

2. 2
   adj

   of short duration or distance

   a brief stay in the country

3. 3
   verb

   to give essential information to someone

   The reporters were briefed about the President's plan to invade.

4. 4
   adj

   Of short duration; happening quickly.

   Her reign was brief but spectacular.

5. 5
   adj

   Concise; taking few words.

   His speech of acceptance was brief but moving.

6. 6
   adj

   Occupying a small distance, area or spatial extent; short.

   Her skirt was extremely brief but doubtless cool.

7. 7
   noun

   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.

8. 8
   noun

   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.

Etymology

From Middle English breef, breve, bref, from Old French brief, bref, from Latin brevis (“short”), from Proto-Indo-European *mréǵʰus (“short, brief”). Doublet of breve and merry.