brief

Of short duration; happening quickly.

• Her reign was brief but spectacular.

Concise; taking few words.

• His speech of acceptance was brief but moving.

Occupying a small distance, area or spatial extent; short.

• On the beach he always wore a straw hat with a red band and a brief pair of leopard print trunks.

Rife; common; prevalent.obsolete

A writ summoning one to answer; an official letter or mandate.

A writ summoning one to answer; an official letter or mandate.; A short papal letter.

• It was in vain that the bishop published a new papal brief, declaring valid the excommunications which he had issued, and those of the inquisitors to be null, and requiring them to seek absolution from him.

An answer to any action.

• A written answer or any other brief shall be submitted to the court while allowing a period necessary for the opponent to make preparations with regard to the matters stated therein.

A memorandum of points of fact or of law for use in conducting a case.

A position of interest or advocacy.broadlyfiguratively

• Mrs. Hope was, we believe, a convert to the Roman Catholic Church, and neither she nor her editor conceals the fact that they hold a brief for the Pope and for Catharine against Henry VIII.

An attorney's legal argument in written form for submission to a court.

The material relevant to a case, delivered by a solicitor to the barrister who is counsel for the case.English

A barrister who is counsel for a party in a legal action.Englishslang

A short news story or report.

• We got a news brief.

Underwear briefs.plural-normally

• I wear boxer shorts under trousers but for sports I usually wear a brief.

To summarize a recent development to some person with decision-making power.transitive

• The U.S. president was briefed on the military coup and its implications on African stability.

To write a legal argument and submit it to a court.transitive

Briefly.obsoletepoetic

• Whence Adam faultring long, thus anſwer’d brief.

Soon; quickly.obsoletepoetic

• But that a ioy paſt ioy, calls out on me, / It were a griefe, to briefe to part with thee : / Farewell.