brief
brief (brēf) adjective
briefer, briefest
1. Short in time, duration, length, or extent.
2. Succinct; concise: a brief account of the incident.
3. Curt; abrupt.
noun
1. A short, succinct statement.
2. A condensation or an abstract of a larger document or series of documents.
3. Abbr. br. 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.
verb, transitive
briefed, briefing, briefs
1. To summarize.
2. To give concise preparatory instructions, information, or advice 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.]
briefʹer noun
briefʹly adverb
briefʹness noun