brief

brief (br

adj. brief·er, brief·est

1. Short in time, duration, length, or extent.

2. Succinct; concise: a brief account of the incident.

3. Curt; abrupt.

1. A short, succinct statement.

2. A condensation or an abstract of a larger document or series of documents.

3. Law

a. A formal outline listing main contentions along with supporting evidence and documentation.

b. A document containing all the facts and points of law pertinent to a specific case, filed by an attorney before arguing the case in court.

4. Roman Catholic Church A papal letter that is not as formal as a bull.

5. A briefing.

6. briefs Short, tight-fitting underpants.

tr.v. briefed, brief·ing, briefs

1. To summarize.

2. To give instructions or preparatory information to: briefed the astronauts before the mission.

Idiom:

in brief

In short.

[Middle English bref, from Old French, from Latin brevis. N., Middle English bref, written communication, from Old French, from Medieval Latin breve, from Latin, neuter of brevis, short; see mregh-u- in Indo-European roots.]

briefer n.

briefly adv.

briefness n.

brief

Adjective

1. short in duration

2. short in length or extent; scanty: a brief bikini

3. terse or concise

Noun

1. a condensed statement or written synopsis

2. Law a document containing all the facts and points of law of a case by which a solicitor instructs a barrister to represent a client

3. RC Church a papal letter that is less formal than a bull

4. Also called: (briefing) instructions

5. hold a brief for to argue for; champion

6. in brief in short; to sum up

Verb

1. to prepare or instruct (someone) by giving a summary of relevant facts

2. English law

a. to instruct (a barrister) by brief

b. to retain (a barrister) as counsel [Latin brevis]

briefly adv

ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms

Noun	1.	brief - a document stating the facts and points of law of a client's case legal brief legal document, legal instrument, official document, instrument - (law) a document that states some contractual relationship or grants some right amicus curiae brief - a brief presented by someone interested in influencing the outcome of a lawsuit but who is not a party to it law, jurisprudence - the collection of rules imposed by authority; "civilization presupposes respect for the law"; "the great problem for jurisprudence to allow freedom while enforcing order"
	2.	brief - a condensed written summary or abstract precis, synopsis, abstract, outline - a sketchy summary of the main points of an argument or theory
Verb	1.	brief - give essential information to someone; "The reporters were briefed about the President's plan to invade" apprise, apprize, instruct - make aware of; "Have the students been apprised of the tuition hike?"
Adj.	1.	brief - of short duration or distance; "a brief stay in the country" short - primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration; "a short life"; "a short flight"; "a short holiday"; "a short story"; "only a few short months"
	2.	brief - concise and succinct; "covered the matter in a brief statement" concise - expressing much in few words; "a concise explanation"
	3.	brief - (of clothing) very short; "an abbreviated swimsuit"; "a brief bikini" abbreviated short - (primarily spatial sense) having little length or lacking in length; "short skirts"; "short hair"; "the board was a foot short"; "a short toss"

brief

adjective 1. short, fast, quick, temporary, fleeting, swift, short-lived, little, hasty, momentary, ephemeral, quickie (informal) transitory << OPPOSITE long

adjective 2. concise, short, limited, to the point, crisp, compressed, terse, curt, laconic, succinct, clipped, pithy, thumbnail, monosyllabic << OPPOSITE long

adjective 3. curt, short, sharp, blunt, abrupt, brusque

verb 4. inform, prime, prepare, advise, fill in (informal) instruct, clue in (informal) gen up Brit. (informal) put in the picture (informal) give a rundown, keep (someone) posted, give the gen Brit. (informal)