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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: We were upset because he was so brief with us. n. 1. A short, succinct statement. 2. A condensation or an abstract of a larger document or series of documents. 3. Law A document concisely stating the legal points being made, including often the citation and explanation of supporting legal authority. 4. Roman Catholic Church A papal letter that is not as formal as a bull. 5. A briefing. 6. often briefs Short, tight-fitting underpants. 7. briefs Chiefly British The instructions that are given to explain a task or assignment. tr.v. briefed, brief·ing, briefs Idiom: 1. To give instructions or preparatory information to: briefed the astronauts before the mission. 2. To summarize. 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 the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] briefer n. briefly adv. briefness n. |
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