BRIEF

I. adjective Etymology: Middle English bref, breve, from Anglo-French bref, ~, from Latin brevis; akin to Old High German murg short, Greek brachys Date: 14th century short in duration, extent, or length, 2. concise , curt , abrupt , ~ness noun II. noun Etymology: Middle English bref, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin brevis, from Late Latin, summary, from Latin brevis, adjective Date: 14th century 1. an official letter or mandate, a specific instruction or responsibility , 2. a concise article, synopsis , summary , a concise statement of a client's case made out for the instruction of counsel in a trial at law, an outline of an argument, short snug pants or underpants, III. transitive verb Date: 15th century to make an abstract or abridgment of, 2. to give final precise instructions to, to coach thoroughly in advance, to give essential information to, to discuss (as a military operation) in a ~ing , ~er noun