n.
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English bref, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin brevis, from Late Latin, summary, from Latin brevis, adjective
Date: 14th century
1 a : an official letter or mandate especially : a papal letter less formal than a bull b : a specific instruction or responsibility <his brief was to strengthen the army>
2 a : a concise article b : SYNOPSIS , SUMMARY c : a concise statement of a client's case made out for the instruction of counsel in a trial at law
3 : an outline of an argument especially : a formal outline especially in law that sets forth the main contentions with supporting statements or evidence
4 plural : short snug pants or underpants
– in brief : in a few words : BRIEFLY