释义 |
briefly, adv.|ˈbriːflɪ| [f. brief a. + -ly2.] 1. In a way or form that occupies short time; in few words, shortly, concisely, tersely.
a1300Cursor M. 120, I sal yow schew wit myn entent, Bre[fl]i [Fairf. shortly] of aiþere testament. 1398Trevisa Barth. De P.R. iii. (1495) 48 In the forsayd bokys we haue brought in breyfly somm propryttees of bodylesse substaunce. 1494Fabyan ii. xlv. 29 Guydo..reherceth moste breuely the passe tyme of the sayd kyngs. 1502Ord. Crysten Men (W. de W.) ii. ii. (1506) 87 Conteynynge y⊇ .x. commaundementes ryght bryefly, ryght clerely, right easely. 1559Mirr. Mag., Dk. Clarence iii, I will declare as briefly as I may. 1681Baxter Acc. Sherlocke v. 193 The judgment..I cannot better and brieflier give you, than in the words of the Preface. 1855Maury Phys. Geog. Sea xix. §794 Such, briefly stated, are the two theories. b. Often with ellipsis of ‘to speak’: In short.
1514Barclay Cyt. & Uplondyshm. (1847) Introd. 70 Briefely, all people of good behavour. 1598Shakes. Merry W. i. iii. 47 Briefely: I doe meane to make loue to Fords wife. 1611Bible Pref. 1 Briefly..we sooner compose our differences. †2. Within a short time (measured either backward or forward); soon. Obs.
c1340Cursor M. 18199 (Fairf.) Tho that so breuely were doune-cast. c1475Sqr. lowe Degre 873 The kyng him graunted ther to go Upon his jorney to and fro, And brefely to passe the sea. 1606Shakes. Ant. & Cl. iv. iv. 10 Ant. Go, put on thy defences. Eros. Briefely Sir. 1607― Cor. i. vi. 16 'Tis not a mile: briefely we heard their drummes. 1611― Cymb. v. v. 106 Briefely dye their ioyes, that place them on the truth of Gyrles, and Boyes. †3. In an abridged form, in brief. Obs.
c1460–70Bk. Quintessence 1 A treatise in Englisch brevely drawe out of þe book of quintis essenciis. 1551(title) The newe greate abredgement brefly conteynynge al thactes and statutes of this Realme. †4. With short (prosodic) quantity. Obs.
c1500Partenay 6582 Als the frensh staffes silabled be More breueloker and shorter also Then is the english lines vnto see. |