BRIEF
—adjective. 1 of short duration. 2 concise; abrupt, brusque. 3 scanty (brief skirt). —none. 1 (in plural.) Short pants. 2 a summary of a case drawn up for counsel. B piece of work for a barrister. 3 instructions for a task. 4 papal letter on discipline. —verb. 1 instruct (a barrister) by brief. 2 inform or instruct in advance. ? hold a brief for argue in favour of. In brief to sum up. ? briefly adverb. Briefness none. [latin brevis short]