Brief Word Meaning

Middle English: from Old French brief, from Latin brevis ‘short’. The noun is via late Latin breve ‘note, dispatch’, hence ‘an official letter’

of short duration; not lasting for long

of short duration

• he made a brief visit to Paris to attend two concerts

(of a piece of clothing) not covering much of the body; scanty

(of clothing) scanty

• a pair of extremely brief black shorts

a set of instructions given to a person about a job or task

set of instructions

• his brief is to turn round the county's fortunes

a summary of the facts and legal points in a case given to a barrister to argue in court.

summary of legal case

a letter from the Pope to a person or community on a matter of discipline.

letter from Pope

instruct or inform (someone) thoroughly, especially in preparation for a task

instruct or inform thoroughly

• she briefed him on last week's decisions

instruct (a barrister) by brief.

instruct barrister