briefless

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briefless

(ˈbriːflɪs)

adj

(Law) (said of a barrister) without clients

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

brief•less

(ˈbrif lɪs)

adj.

having no clients, as a lawyer.

[1815–25]

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Adj.

briefless - (of lawyers or barristers) lacking clients

patronless, unpatronised, unpatronized - having little patronage or few clients; "a restaurant unpatronized by the elite"

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References in classic literature ?

Briefless, the barrister's wife, who is of a good family certainly, but, as we all know, is as poor as poor can be.

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He relates to us all the various steps by which his office-boy rose to be the "ruler of the queen's navee," and explains to us how the briefless barrister managed to become a great and good judge, "ready to try this breach of promise of marriage." It is in the petty details, not in the great results, that the interest of existence lies.

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"That is a proof of devotion, indeed." She half closed her eyes, and indulged herself in a fascinating picture of a briefless barrister lodged in a garret, writing immortal novels by the light of a farthing dip.