■ noun
1》 Music a note having the time value of two semi~s, represented as a semi~ with two short bars either side, or as a square.
2》 a written or printed mark (˘) indicating a short or unstressed vowel.
3》 historical an authoritative letter from a pope or monarch.
Origin
ME: var. of brief : the musical term was orig. used in a series where a long was of greater time value than a ~ .