bri:f adj., n., & v. --adj. 1 of
short duration. 2
concise in
expression. 3
abrupt,
brusque (was
rather brief
with me). 4
scanty;
lacking in
substance (wearing a brief skirt). --n. 1 (in pl.) a women's brief
pants. b men's brief
underpants. 2
Law a a
summary of
the facts
and legal points of a case
drawn up
for counsel. b a
piece of
work for a
barrister. 3 instructions
given for a
task,
operation, etc. (orig. a bombing
plan given to an aircrew). 4 RC
Ch. a
letter from the Pope to a
person or
community on a
matter of
discipline. --v.tr. 1
Brit. Law
instruct (a barrister) by brief. 2 instruct (an
employee, a
participant, etc.) in
preparation for a task;
inform or instruct thoroughly in
advance (briefed
him for the interview) (cf. DEBRIEF). øbe brief
use few words. hold a brief for 1
argue in
favour of. 2 be retained as counsel for. in brief in short. watching brief 1 a brief
held by a barrister
following a case for a
client not directly involved. 2 a
state of
interest maintained in a
proceeding not directly or
immediately concerning one. øøbriefly adv. briefness n. [ME f. AF bref, OF brief, f. L brevis short]
