ˈbrēv, ˈbrev noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English — more at brief
1. archaic : an authorizing letter: as
a. : a royal mandate
b. : a papal brief
2.
a. : a mark ˘ placed over a vowel to indicate that the vowel is short
b. : this mark placed over a syllable or used alone to indicate an unstressed or a short syllable in a metric foot
3. : an original writ : any writ or precept under seal that is issued out of any court
4.
a. : a note in mensural notation equivalent in duration to either one half or one third of a long
b. : a note in modern notation equivalent to four half notes