brief

²brief

noun

Definition of BRIEF

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

Examples of BRIEF

1. Her brief is to manage the company's sales department.
2. <a one-page brief of the intelligence report>

Origin of BRIEF

Middle English bref, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin brevis, from Late Latin, summary, from Latin brevis, adjective

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to BRIEF

Synonyms: abstract, breviary, summary, capsule, conspectus, digest, encapsulation, epitome, inventory, outline, précis, recap, recapitulation, résumé (or resume also resumé), roundup, rundown, run-through, sum, summa, summarization, summing-up, sum-up, synopsis, wrap-up

Related Words: abbreviation, abridgment (or abridgement), compend, compendium, condensation, curtailment, shortening; simplification, streamlining; rehash, reprise; conclusion, epilogue (also epilog)

Near Antonyms: amplification, enlargement, expansion; addendum, supplement

see all synonyms and antonyms

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