briefless

Also found in: Thesaurus, Legal.

briefless

(ˈbriːflɪs)

adj

(Law) (said of a barrister) without clients

brief•less

(ˈbrif lɪs)

adj.

having no clients, as a lawyer.

[1815–25]

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Switch to new thesaurus

Adj.

briefless - (of lawyers or barristers) lacking clients

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

Mentioned in ?

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.

View in context

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.

View in context

"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.