Definition of: brief

(brēf) adjective
1. Short in time or space; quickly passing.
2. Of few words; concise; also, curt or abrupt in speech.
3. Curtailed in extent; limited. See synonyms under TERSE, TRANSIENT.
—noun
1. Any short or abridged statement; a summary.
2. Law A concise statement in writing of the law and authorities relied upon in trying a cause; also, a memorandum of all the material facts of a client's case prepared for the instruction of counsel.
3. In the Roman Catholic Church, a letter from the Pope; less formal than a bull.
4. Briefing.
—in brief Briefly; in short.
—to hold a brief for To be on the side of; champion; aid.
—v.t.
1. To epitomize; make a summary of.
2. To instruct or advise in advance: He briefed his salesmen on the coming campaign.
3. Brit. To inform by a legal brief.
4. Brit. To retain as counsel.
—adverb Obs. Shortly; briefly. [<OF bref <L brevis short]
—brief′ly adverb
—brief′ness noun