briefn.¹

Brit. /briːf/, U.S.

/brif/

Forms: Middle English bref, Middle English brefe, Middle English, 1600s breef, Middle English breyfe, 1500s–1600s breefe, briefe, 1600s breif, Sc. brife, 1500s– brief.

Etymology: Middle English bref, < Old French bref (12th cent. brief) < Latin breve ‘letter, dispatch, note’, in late classical Latin ‘short catalogue, summary’, neuter of brevis ‘short’. From official Latin the word entered at an early period into all the Germanic languages. Compare Old Norse bréf (found c1015), Swedish bref, Danish brev, Old Saxon, Old Frisian brêf (Dutch brief), Old High German briof (9th cent.; Middle High German, modern German brief); but it is not recorded in Old English, and appears to have entered early Middle English from French. Here also it has remained more distinctly an official or legal word, and has not the general sense ‘letter’, which it has acquired in continental Germanic.

Of uncertain sense:

?a1289 Ancrene Riwle (Cleo.: Scribe D) (1972) 99 To settin wordis o bref.

I. A letter of authority.

†1. A writing issued by official or legal authority; a royal letter or mandate; a writ, a summons. (Translating Latin breve and Anglo-Norman French bref in various legal meanings.) Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > administration of justice > process, writ, warrant, or order > [noun]

brief1330

precept1427

court order1650

maintenance pending suit1952

society > communication > correspondence > letter > [noun]

epistleeOE

pistleOE

writOE

letter?c1225

brief1330

writingc1384

missive letter1519

scroll1534

missive?1553

scrieve1581

favour1645

chitty1698

chit1757

mail letter1799

1292 Britton i. i. §4 Solum ceo qe nous les maunderoms par nos brefs [as we shall authorize by our writs].]

1330 R. Mannyng Chron. 237 Edward sent his brefe to Leulyn for his land.

c1425 Seven Sag. (P.) 3203 Over alle hys lond hys bref was sente To ase[m]len a comuyn parlyment.

1621 H. Elsynge Notes Deb. House of Lords (1870) App. 133 A breefe touching gold and silver thred read.

1641 Rastell's Termes de la Ley (new ed.) f. 43 Briefe signifies..the proces that issues out of the Chauncery or other Courts, commanding the Sherife to summon or attach A. to answer to the suit of B. etc., but more largely it is taken for any precept of the King in writing under seale, issuing out of any Court.

1882 Gunton in Macmillan's Mag. XLV. 450 In 1533, he was made Clerk of the Briefs in the Star Chamber.

a. A letter of the pope to an individual or a religious community upon matters of discipline. It differs from a bull in being less ample and solemn, and in the form in which it is written. More fully called brief apostolical or papal brief.

ΘΚΠ

society > faith > church government > member of the clergy > clerical superior > pope > papal documents > [noun] > encyclical

papal briefa1500

breve1536

encyclical1837

encyclic1851

encyclica1888

a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xiv. 168 And, lo syrs, if ye trow not me, Ye rede this brefe.

1606 True & Perf. Relat. Y iv a The receiuing of two Brieues or Bulls from the Pope.

1618 tr. F. Guicciardini Hist. Guicciardin (ed. 3) 30 The Pope..reenioyned him eftsoones by another Briefe, the selfe same things.

1710 London Gaz. No. 4678/1 The Pope has at last given the Brief of the Cruciata to the King of Spain.

1850 A. Jameson Legends Monastic Orders 377 Dominick, armed with the papal brief, hastened thither.

1868 W. Cartwright in News of World 29 Mar. A Brief..has but the Pope's name at the beginning—‘Pius Papa IX.’—is signed by the Cardinal Secretary of Briefs, bears date from the Nativity, and is written in modern letters upon soft white parchment.

†b. A letter of credentials given to mendicant friars and the like. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > legal document > authenticating document > [noun] > document certifying bearer > recommending bearer to alms

brief1377

pacific letters1709

1377 Langland Piers Plowman B. xx. 325 The Frere..cam..to þe bisshop & his brief [C. xxiii. 327 breef] hadde In contrees þere he come in confessiouns to here.

c. dialect. A begging petition.

ΚΠ

1764 ‘T. Bobbin’ Let. in Wks. (1819) Introd. p. xvi Pray advise..whether, I should not have a brief [on the death of a mare].

1879 G. F. Jackson Shropshire Word-bk. Brief, a writing setting forth the circumstances by which a poor person has incurred loss, as by fire, the death of a horse, cow, etc. Such a one takes the brief about to collect money for his indemnification.

3. A letter patent issued by the sovereign as Head of the Church, licensing a collection in the churches throughout England for a specified object of charity; called also a Church Brief or King's Letter. Obsolete in practice.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > legal document > types of legal or official document > [noun] > letter or letters patent > type of letter-patent

brief1588

1588 ‘M. Marprelate’ Oh read ouer D. Iohn Bridges: Epist. 33 Spent thirteene score pounds in distributing briefes for a gathering towards the erecting of a Colledge.

1661 S. Pepys Diary 30 June (1970) II. 128 To church; where we observe the trade of briefes is come now up to so constant a course every Sunday, that we resolve to give no more to them.

1781 W. Cowper Charity 469 The brief proclaimed, it visits every pew, But first the squire's, a compliment but due.

1819 R. Southey Select. from Lett. (1856) III. 193 A wooden thing..such as the churchwardens carry about in the church to collect money for a brief.

1836 Penny Cycl. V. 420/2 A brief was issued, in 1835, to increase the funds of the ‘Society for the propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts’.

II.

†a. A letter, dispatch, note. Obsolete.

ΚΠ

c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 794 And þan ho broght hym a bref all of brode letres, þat was comly by crafte a clerke for to rede.

1575 G. Gascoigne Fruites of Warre cxxiii, in Posies sig. Ivi^v She sent a brief vnto me by hir mayde.

1598 Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 iv. iv. 1 Hie good sir Mighell, beare this sealed briefe With..haste to the Lord Marshall.

1652 C. B. Stapylton tr. Herodian Imperiall Hist. xvii. 144 When this Briefe was to the Persians born They..flatly doe their message hold in scorn.

†b. Writing, something written. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > writing > written text > [noun] > piece or quantity of

i-writeOE

writlOE

hand-writc1175

scritec1325

scripta1350

writingc1384

letterc1390

write1428

briefa1450

titlec1450

scroll1534

escript1550

passagec1550

hand write1567

side1579

scrieve1581

manuscript1600

sheetful1711

page1743

slateful1836

chirograph1844

pageful1859

M1899

a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich Hist. Holy Grail xxxi. l. 265 And the Brefis that on the schipe weren set, Signefieth holy Scripture with-owten let.

a1796 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) I. 278 King David o' poetic brief, Wrought 'mang the lasses sic mischief.

c. In various slang uses (see quots.).

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > lack of subjection > permission > [noun] > document which permits or authorizes > ticket

ticket1673

card1749

brief1860

ducket1871

rover1934

society > trade and finance > management of money > keeping accounts > account or statement of > [noun] > pawnbroker's duplicate or ticket

ticket1836

brief1860

society > travel > transport > transport or conveyance in a vehicle > transport by vehicles plying for hire > [noun] > driving or hiring of cabs > taxi-driver's licence

medallion1925

bill1930

brief1939

society > law > law enforcement > police force or the police > [noun] > proof of identity or authority

warrant card1920

brief1962

1860 J. C. Hotten Dict. Slang (ed. 2) Brief, a pawnbroker's duplicate.

1874 Hotten's Dict. Slang (rev. ed.) 97 Brief,..a raffle card, or a ticket of any kind.

1879 Macmillan's Mag. 40 501/2 I..took a brief (ticket) to London Bridge.

1889 A. Barrère & C. G. Leland Dict. Slang I. 180/1 Brief (prison), a note or letter... (Thieves), a ticket, pocket-book, pawnbroker's duplicate.

1939 H. Hodge Cab, Sir? xv. 217 It [sc. a cab-driver's licence] is also called the ‘brief’.

1962 John o' London's 25 Jan. 82/2 A policeman's warrant card is his brief.

III. Something abbreviated.

†5.

a. A short statement or account of something that is, or might be, more fully treated; an abridgement, epitome, abstract, summary. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > extension in space > reduction in size or extent > [noun] > reproducing on a smaller scale > that which is

abstract1561

brief1563

scantling1576

miniaturea1586

compendium1602

compendiment1605

modelet1605

baby figure1609

breviary1609

modulet1610

microcosm1611

epitomea1616

compend1642

breviate1695

reduction1728

mini1978

society > leisure > the arts > literature > prose > non-fiction > summary or epitome > [noun]

abbreviationa1464

summary1509

breve1523

bridgement1523

abbreviate1531

summulary1533

breviary1547

extract1549

digest1555

brief1563

promptuary1577

abbreviature1578

institute1578

breviation1580

breviate1581

compendiary1589

symbol1594

ramass1596

compendium1608

abridgement1609

digestment1610

digestion1613

epitome1623

abridge1634

comprisal1640

comprisurea1641

syntome1641

medulla1644

multum in parvo1653

contracta1657

landscape1656

comprehension1659

sylloge1686

contraction1697

résumé1782

compend1796

sum-up1848

roundup1884

wrap-up1960

1563 J. Man tr. W. Musculus Common Places Christian Relig. 34 b A certain brief of those commaundementes [L. summa quædam eorum præceptorum].

1589 T. Nashe Anat. Absurditie sig. Ai A suruey of their follie, a briefe of their barbarisme.

1645 E. Pagitt Heresiogr. To Rdr. sig. B1 The Creed being a briefe of the Gospell.

1691 T. Hale Acct. New Inventions 86 A Brief of the Controversie.

†b. fig.

ΚΠ

a1613 T. Overbury Wife (1638) 44 Each woman is a briefe of Womankind.

a1616 Shakespeare King John (1623) ii. i. 103 The hand of time, Shall draw this breefe into as huge a volume.

†c. abstr. Small compass; reduced size.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > extension in space > reduction in size or extent > [noun] > reduced size

brief1575

the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > smallness > [noun] > smallness or scantiness of extent > compactness

brief1575

compactness1646

snugness1799

compact1817

1575 G. Gascoigne Fruites of Warre cxci, in Posies sig. Kvi Brought into such brief.

†d. A device, a motto.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > indication > insignia > [noun] > emblem or device

signc1300

devicea1375

remembrancea1470

posya1565

ensign1579

impresaa1586

imprese1588

brief1594

impressa1616

emblem1616

impressa1628

notado1647

impressa1656

blazoning1828

society > communication > indication > insignia > heraldic devices collective > extra-scutal devices > [noun] > motto

mot1575

brief1594

motto1600

scroll1859

1594 T. Nashe Vnfortunate Traveller sig. I^v With this briefe, Qui inuident egent.

†6. A list, catalogue; an invoice, memorandum.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > record > list > [noun]

tableOE

scorec1325

billa1340

calendar?a1400

legendc1400

librarya1450

Ragmanc1450

Ragman rollc1450

cataloguea1464

repertory1542

scrowa1545

bedroll?1552

roll1565

file1566

state1582

inventory1589

brief1600

series1601

counter-roll1603

list1604

muster roll1605

cense1615

pinax1625

repertoirec1626

diagram1631

recensiona1638

repertorium1667

vocabulary1694

albe1697

enumeration1725

screed1748

album1753

tableau1792

roll-call1833

shopping list1923

laundry list1958

remainder list1977

1600 Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream v. i. 42 There is a briefe, how many sports are ripe.

1601 F. Tate Househ. Ord. Edward II (1876) §10. 10 He shal make a breef everi day of the parcels of al manner of things delivered & spent.

1601 F. Tate Househ. Ord. Edward II §47. 28 Therof aunswere daily at the briefs to the clarke of the botery.

1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. Briefs of the dead, Brevia mortuorum, were letters sent by the monks of one monastery to those of another..to inform them of the deaths or obits of their monks.

1849 D. Rock Church our Fathers II. vii. 380 The Death-bill, called by some the Mortuary-Roll or Brief.

a. Law. A summary of the facts of a case, with reference to the points of law supposed to be applicable to them, drawn up for the instruction of counsel conducting the case in court. to hold a brief: to be retained as counsel in a case, to argue a point for; also fig. in phr. to hold a brief for (a person): to express oneself like an advocate rather than an unbiased and critical appraiser; frequently in neg. to hold no brief for: to be no advocate or supporter of; to take a brief: to accept the conduct of a case.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > legal profession > [noun] > instructions or briefs

instructions1529

breviate1594

brief1631

memorial1729

soup1856

watching brief1886

docker1889

dock brief1909

amicus curiae brief1919

society > law > legal profession > practice law [verb (intransitive)] > practise at the bar > accept a case

to take a brief1869

the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > support or encouragement > support or encourage [verb (transitive)]

shoveOE

to hold with (arch. of, on, for)1154

favour1362

abetc1380

sustainc1390

supportc1405

courage1470

comfort1481

friend1550

through-bear1554

countenance1568

foster1569

favourize1585

seconda1586

sidea1601

rally1624

feed1626

countenance1654

encourage1668

inserve1683

to go strong on1822

partake1861

sponsor1884

to hold a brief for1888

root1889

rah-rah1940

affirm1970

babysit1973

barrack-

the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > hold in contempt [verb (transitive)]

forhowc900

overhowOE

withhuheOE

forhecchec1230

scorna1275

despise1297

spise13..

to set at a pease, at a pie's heel, at a pin's fee1303

to hold, have scorn at, ofc1320

to think scorn ofc1320

to set short by1377

to tell short of1377

to set naught or nought (nothing, not anything) by1390

spitea1400

contemnc1425

nought1440

overlooka1450

mainprizec1450

lightly1451

vilipendc1470

indeign1483

misprize1483

dain?1518

to look down on (also upon)1539

floccipend1548

contempta1555

to take scorn ata1566

embase1577

sdeign1590

disesteem1594

vilify1599

to set lightly, coldly1604

disrepute1611

to hold cheapa1616

avile1616

floccify1623

meprize1633

to think (also believe, etc.) meanly of1642

publican1648

naucify1653

disesteem1659

invalue1673

to set light, at light1718

sneeze1806

sniff1837

derry1896

to hold no brief for1918

1631 in S. R. Gardiner Rep. Cases Star Chamber & High Comm. (1886) 39 To print or write breifes of a cause before the hearing..is to be accounted scandalous.

1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 186. ⁋3 The young Fellow..seemed to hold his Brief in his Hand rather to help his Action.

a1794 Gibbon Memoirs in Misc. Wks. (1796) I. 156 I spoke as a lawyer from my brief.

1826 B. Disraeli Vivian Grey II. iii. viii. 118 It is the first day of the Assize, so there is some chance of a brief.

1869 J. R. Seeley Lect. & Ess. i. 7 Ready as Cicero showed himself to take..a brief..from accused and guilty governors.

1888 M. Arnold in 19th Cent. Jan. 24 Professor Dowden holds a brief for Shelley; he pleads for Shelley as an advocate pleads for his client.

1918 R. A. Knox Spiritual Aeneid 215 When I was at Balliol, we used to adapt the phrase ‘I hold no brief for So-and-so’.

b. = briefing n. 2.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > information > action of informing > [noun] > a briefing

brief1856

briefing1940

fill-in1946

dog-and-pony show1966

dog-and-pony1989

1856 W. Bagehot in National Rev. 3 164 The calling of a constitutional statesman is very much that of a political advocate; he receives a new brief with the changing circumstances of each successive day.

1940 Sphere 10 Aug. 164 The pilots and navigators receive their ‘briefs’.

1940 Times 22 Aug. 5/6 (heading) The ‘Brief’ For A Long Journey and Distant Target.

1949 Economist 27 Aug. 465/1 The last touches have been put to the brief which Sir Stafford Cripps and Mr Ernest Bevin will be taking with them for the Washington financial talks.

c. (See quot. 1923) Cf. brief-paper n. at Compounds 1b.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > writing > writing materials > material to write on > paper > [noun] > paper for legal use

brief-paper1796

legal cap1844

briefing-post1865

bond papera1877

legal pad1882

brief1923

society > communication > writing > writing materials > material to write on > paper > [noun] > paper for legal use > standard size of legal bags or envelopes

brief1923

1923 H. A. Maddox Dict. Stationery 15 Brief, (1) A standard size of legal bags or envelopes measuring 14 in. by 5 in. (2) A legal pattern of ruled or watermarked foolscap comprising 36 or 42 feint lines and a marginal line.

IV. Something brief or short.

†8. Music. A short note; = breve n. 2. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > duration of notes > [noun] > short note or breve

streinantc1325

brevec1460

briefa1500

strene note1550

short1591

a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xiii. 153 What was his song? Hard ye not how he crakyd it, Thre brefes to a long?

1594 R. Barnfield Shepheard Content iii. sig. Eij No Briefes nor Semi-Briefes are in my Songs.

1609 J. Dowland tr. A. Ornithoparchus Micrologus 39 A Breefe is a Figure which hath a body foure-square, and wants a tayle.

1658 A. Cokayne Small Poems 79 His life..Death made it be a Briefe... Crotchets he had good store.

†9. Grammar. A short syllable, = breve n. 3. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > linguistics > study of speech sound > speech sound > [noun] > syllabic sound > syllable > type of

breve1548

brief?1560

suppletive1666

alienisparsison1856

fortisparsison1856

gravisparsison1856

closed syllable1881

nonsense syllable1885

pre-head1958

?1560 H. Rhodes Bk. Nurture (new ed.) sig. Aiii^v Corrupt in speche my breues and longes to know.

†10. Cards. A means of cheating at cards. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > card-sharping or cheating > [noun] > methods of

palm1664

high game1665

palming1671

slick1674

brief1680

gammoning1700

shoulder-dash1711

bridge1773

weaving1803

bridging1843

palmistry1859

slipping1864

stocking1887

big mitt1903

1680 C. Cotton in G. W. Singer Researches Hist. Playing Cards 339 The breef..Take a pack of cards and open them; then take out all the honours..then take the rest and cut a little from the edges of them all alike, by which means the honours will be broader than the rest, so that when your adversary cuts to you, you are certain of an honour; when you cut to your adversary cut at the ends.

11. plural. Very short knickers (see knickers n. 2), or trunks.

ΘΚΠ

the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > underwear > [noun] > underpants > short

briefs1934

trunksa1935

short shorts1946

1934 Books of To-Day Nov. 10/1 I'm bored to tears with ‘scanties’, I'm sick to death of ‘briefs’.

1959 ‘M. Neville’ Sweet Night for Murder iii. 40 Cathy, in minute briefs and bra, struggling into her dress.

1968 J. Ironside Fashion Alphabet 66 Briefs, snugly fitting panties with straight leg and crutch.

Compounds

C1. General attributive.

brief-fed adj.

ΚΠ

1820 T. Mitchell tr. Aristophanes Acharnians in tr. Aristophanes Comedies I. 92 The brief-fed spark..In haste uprises to display his powers of wit and story.

brief-paper n.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > writing > writing materials > material to write on > paper > [noun] > paper for legal use

brief-paper1796

legal cap1844

briefing-post1865

bond papera1877

legal pad1882

brief1923

1796 Archaeologia 12 116 Brief paper, even and thin, but yellow with age.

C2.

brief-bag n. the blue or red bag in which a barrister carries his briefs to and from court.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > legal profession > [noun] > lawyer's bag

buckram1607

buckram-bag1611

wallet1645

green bag1660

blue bag1788

red bag1845

brief-bag1848

1848 Punch 15 190/1 If my brief-bag is clear, so is my conscience.

1865 G. Measom Guide G.E.R. (advt.) 4 Brief Bags.

1895 Cassell's Family Mag. 323/2 Brief-bags carried by..lawyers' clerks.

1910 Encycl. Brit. IV. 562/1 English brief-bags are now either blue or red. Blue bags are those with which barristers provide themselves when first called, and it is a breach of etiquette to let this bag be visible in court. The only brief-bag allowed to be placed on the desks is the red bag, which by English legal etiquette is given by a leading counsel to a junior who has been useful to him in some important case.

brief-case n. a small case made of leather, etc., for carrying papers, documents, and the like.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > equipment > receptacle or container > case or container > [noun] > for documents

paper-case1679

serviette1891

attaché case1904

brief-case1926

document case1936

business case1938

attaché1972

1926 Amer. Speech 1 444/1 ‘Why don't you rest to-night?’..‘The why is in my briefcase.’

1954 T. S. Eliot Confidential Clerk i. 15 Enter Colby Simpkins with brief case.

1967 S. Beckett Eh Joe & Other Writings 36 He drops briefcase.

brief-money n. money collected under authority of a brief.

ΘΚΠ

society > faith > worship > benefice > other financial matters > [noun] > collection > collected under authority of a brief

brief-money1686

1686 Lady Russell Lett. I. xxxiv. 88 The disposers of the brief-money met the first time yesterday.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1888; most recently modified version published online September 2018).

briefadj.n.²adv.

Brit. /briːf/, U.S.

/brif/

Forms: Middle English–1500s bref, breff, brefe, Middle English–1500s bryef, breve, breue, breyf(fe, 1500s–1600s breefe, briefe, 1600s breif(e, 1500s– brief.

Etymology: Middle English bref, < Old French bref, feminine breve (= Provençal breu, Catalan breu, Italian breve, Spanish breve, Portuguese breve) < Latin brevem, nominative brevis, short. The vowel has been lengthened in English, as in chief, relief, etc.

A. adj.

a. Of short duration, quickly passing away or ending.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > duration > shortness or brevity in time > [adjective]

shortc888

littleOE

shortlya1050

briefc1400

momentlya1425

small?a1439

momentany1447

momentaneous?a1450

stunta1450

momentaryc1485

momentane1510

hourlya1535

sudden1561

momentaneala1581

span-long1593

momentaneana1599

momental1606

narrow1611

timeless1657

concise1785

succinct1796

ultra-short1962

c1400 (?c1380) Pearl l. 268 & busyez þe aboute a raysoun bref.

c1400 Beryn 871 Goith hymselff a begging aftir in breff tyme.

a1616 Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) v. v. 22 Out, out, breefe Candle, Life's but a walking Shadow.

a1616 Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) ii. ii. 121 Man, proud man, Drest in a little briefe authoritie.

1828 T. Carlyle Burns in Edinb. Rev. Dec. 302 Some brief, pure moments of poetic life.

1847 Tennyson Princess iv. 70 O tell her, brief is life but love is long, And brief the sun of summer in the North, And brief the moon of beauty in the South.

†b. to be brief: to be expeditious or hasty. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > manner of action > rapidity or speed of action or operation > proceed rapidly [verb (intransitive)] > act expeditiously

to make (it) short1490

dispatch1581

to be brief1609

to claw it off1615

to dance Barnaby1664

1609 Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida iv. vii. 121 Achil. Behold thy fill. Hect. Nay I haue done already. Achil. Thou art too briefe.

a. Occupying short time in speaking or reading; consisting of few words, short, concise.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > conciseness > [adjective]

compendious1388

briefc1430

short1487

short and sweet1545

curted1568

summarc1575

laconical1576

summary1582

succinct1585

totala1586

laconic1589

concisec1590

compendiary1609

press?1611

curt1631

Spartan1644

nutshell1647

severe1680

Lacedaemonian1780

straightforward1806

uncircumlocutory1808

shorthand1822

Spartanlike1838

unwordy1841

nutshelly1843

tight1870

Spartanic1882

unfarced1890

serried1899

taut1916

c1430 Hymns Virg. (1867) 55 Ihesu spak wiþ wordis breue.

a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. xxxv. f. xiiii The more partie of wryters reherce in most breuest or shortest maner.

1546 Wycklyffes Wycket sig. A.ii A verye brefe diffinition of these wordes.

1547 Act 1 Edw. VI iii. §16 The Curate [shall]..make..a godly and briefe exhortation.

1603 Shakespeare Hamlet ii. ii. 527 The Chronicles And briefe abstracts of the time.

a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) I. 263 So 'tis in Books the chief Of all Perfections to be plain and brief.

1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World ii. 151 I shall give a brief Account of it all.

1841 T. Carlyle On Heroes vi. 331 As the briefest definition, one might say, [etc.].

b. to be brief: to speak concisely.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > conciseness > be concise or brief [verb (intransitive)]

to be at a (also one) wordOE

to make short1556

to be brief1588

abbreviate1596

to cut short1691

to cut (also make) a long story short1732

to make short of long1883

1588 A. Fraunce Lawiers Logike i. iv. f. 27 As if a man, meaning to be brief, should promise that he would gallop over al the rest of his text.

1644 Milton Of Educ. 1 Briefe I shall endeavour to be.

1762 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Painting II. iii. 79 I shall be but brief on the circumstances of his life.

c. Curt or abrupt in manner. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > discourtesy > [adjective] > curt or brusque

short1390

cutted1530

snappish1542

abrupt1578

stunt1581

blunt1590

brusquea1639

snapping1642

blatec1650

brisk1665

bluff1705

offhand1708

prerupt1727

squab1737

prompt1768

crisp1814

brief1818

stuntya1825

curt1831

snappy1834

bluffy1844

nebby1873

offhandish1886

nebsy1894

1818 Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian vii, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. IV. 152 The bearing of the gracious Duncan was brief, bluff, and consequential.

3. Less usually of extent in space: Short, curtailed, limited. (Cf. a1616¹ at sense A. 1a.)

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > longitudinal extent > shortness > [adjective] > shortened

docked1408

abbreviatec1425

abridged?c1430

shorted1483

abbreviatedc1487

curtailed1561

curted1568

curtala1592

shortened1598

curt1665

brief1668

curtate1893

1668 N. Culpeper & A. Cole tr. T. Bartholin Anat. (new ed.) ii. vi. 97 Contracting the whole Heart in a brief manner.

1823 Scott St. Ronan's Well I. vi. 126 Wearing the briefest petticoat of any nymph of St Ronan's.

1863 N. Hawthorne Our Old Home I. 61 A small play-place..permeated by brief paths.

†4. fig. Limited, slight, restricted. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adjective] > slight

brief1432

ride?a1500

nice1561

remote1625

slim1671

faint1726

slightish1761

1432–50 tr. Higden (1865) I. 71 Some men of pover and breve intellecte.

a1616 Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) v. vi. 165 Postures, beyond breefe Nature.

5. Rife; common; prevalent: often used of epidemic diseases. dialect. (The origin of this sense is not clear: the Shakespeare quot. is generally cited as an example, but is by no means certain.)

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > [adjective] > general or prevalent > specifically of bad things

rifelOE

brief1706

a1616 Shakespeare King John (1623) iv. iii. 159 A thousand businesses are briefe in hand, And heauen it selfe doth frowne vpon the Land. ]

1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) Brief, rife, or common.

1721–1800 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. Brief, common, or rife.

1848–60 J. R. Bartlett Dict. Americanisms Brief, rife, common, prevalent. This word is..much used by the uneducated in the interior of New England and in Virginia, when speaking of epidemic diseases.

1879 G. F. Jackson Shropshire Word-bk. Brief, prevalent, general.

1881 S. Evans Evans's Leicestershire Words (new ed.) (at cited word) ‘Colds are very brief this east wind.’

B. n.²

a. in brief: in few words, shortly, concisely. With ellipsis of ‘to speak’: In short, to sum up.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > conciseness > [adverb]

shortlyc893

brieflya1300

shortc1374

in sumc1384

compendiously1398

in brief1423

roundlya1516

succinctly?1537

brief1557

succinct1593

abbreviately1599

compactly1603

laconically1631

presslya1637

compactedly1649

curtly1654

concisely1686

laconicly1709

straightforwardly1874

scantly1885

society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > conciseness > [adverb] > in short

at a (also one) wordOE

at few wordsOE

shortly1303

in short wordsc1380

oncec1384

in short and plainc1386

in sum?a1425

at short wordsa1450

at short1513

briefly?1521

in a word1522

in one word1522

with a word1522

summa1535

to be short1544

in (the) fine1545

in few1550

summarily1567

in a sum1574

in shorta1577

in brief1609

briefa1616

in a little1623

tout court1747

sans phrase1808

in a nutshell1822

in nuce1854

1423 Kingis Quair cxxvii Off quhich ryght thus hir ansuere was in bref.

1609 D. Rogers Harl. MS. 1944 lf. 22 A man..published..the matter of y^e playes in breife.

a1616 Shakespeare King John (1623) ii. i. 267 In breefe, we are the King of Englands subiects.

1667 Milton Paradise Lost vi. 171 To whom in brief thus Abdiel stern repli'd.

1800–24 T. Campbell Cherubs 29 Ay, and a cut-throat too;—in brief, The greatest scoundrel living.

1833 H. Martineau French Wines & Politics ii. 21 Charles gave in brief the story of the storm.

†b. the brief, used absol. like the short. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > literature > prose > non-fiction > summary or epitome > [noun] > synoptical statement

abstract1436

titling1465

capitulation1523

aphorism1528

argument1535

table1560

analysis1588

the brief1601

abstractive1611

synopsis1611

method1614

synopsy1616

modela1626

scheme1652

syllabus1653

précis1760

summing up1795

aperçu1828

conspectus1839

vidimus1884

auto-abstract1892

standfirst1972

1601 Bp. W. Barlow Serm. Paules Crosse Martij 1600 48 The chiefe, and the briefe is this.

a1616 Shakespeare Henry V (1623) iii. iii. 61 That is the breff and the long.

a1616 Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) ii. iii. 30 'Tis very straunge, that is the breefe and the tedious of it.

C. adv.

a. Shortly, quickly; in few words, concisely.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > conciseness > [adverb]

shortlyc893

brieflya1300

shortc1374

in sumc1384

compendiously1398

in brief1423

roundlya1516

succinctly?1537

brief1557

succinct1593

abbreviately1599

compactly1603

laconically1631

presslya1637

compactedly1649

curtly1654

concisely1686

laconicly1709

straightforwardly1874

scantly1885

1557 T. North tr. A. de Guevara Diall Princes (1582) 79 b In this sort I should write vnto thee briefe and touching the purpose.

1597 Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet iii. iii. 173 It were a griefe so breefe to part with thee.

1667 Milton Paradise Lost iv. 875 Those two approachd And brief related whom they brought.

b. In brief.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > conciseness > [adverb] > in short

at a (also one) wordOE

at few wordsOE

shortly1303

in short wordsc1380

oncec1384

in short and plainc1386

in sum?a1425

at short wordsa1450

at short1513

briefly?1521

in a word1522

in one word1522

with a word1522

summa1535

to be short1544

in (the) fine1545

in few1550

summarily1567

in a sum1574

in shorta1577

in brief1609

briefa1616

in a little1623

tout court1747

sans phrase1808

in a nutshell1822

in nuce1854

a1616 Shakespeare As you like It (1623) iv. iii. 151 Briefe, I recouer'd him.

1855 R. Browning Fra Lippo Lippi in Men & Women I. 40 Brief, they made a monk of me.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1888; most recently modified version published online June 2018).

briefv.¹

Etymology: < brief adj.

†1. transitive. To shorten, abbreviate, abridge; also with up. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > literature > prose > non-fiction > summary or epitome > summarize or abridge [verb (transitive)]

abrevya1325

comprehendc1369

abridgec1384

shorta1390

suma1398

abbreviate?a1475

shorten1530

to cut short?1542

curtail1553

to knit up1553

to wind up1583

clip1598

epitomize1599

brief1601

contract1604

to shut up1622

decurt1631

to sum up1642

breviate1663

curtilate1665

compendize1693

epitomate1702

to gather up1782

summarize1808

scissor1829

précis1856

to cut down1857

to boil down1880

synopsize1882

essence1888

résumé1888

short copy1891

bovrilize1900

pot1927

summate1951

capsulize1958

profile1970

1601 R. Johnson in tr. G. Botero Trauellers Breuiat sig. A2^v Compendiousnes in briefing such varietie of matter to so small a volume.

1618 T. Adams Happines of Church i. 333 Both thy latitude and extention are brief'd vp.

2. To relate briefly.

ΚΠ

1904 F. Lynde Grafters vii He briefed the story of House Bill Twenty-nine for her, pointing out the probabilities.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1888; most recently modified version published online September 2018).

briefv.²

Brit. /briːf/, U.S.

/brif/

Etymology: < brief n.¹ 7.

1. transitive. To reduce to the form of a counsel's brief.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > legal profession > practice law [verb (transitive)] > reduce to form of brief

breviate1663

brief1836

1836 C. Richardson New Dict. Eng. Lang. I. (at cited word) It is common among English lawyers as, to brief the pleadings.

2. To put (instructions) into the form of a brief to a barrister. Also fig.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > legal profession > lawyer's client > engage a lawyer [verb (transitive)] > instruct or brief > put (instructions) to

brief1864

1864 G. Dyce Bella Donna I. 304 Being ‘briefed’ to Maxwell, they all fell into one common mould.

1872 C. J. Lever Ld. Kilgobbin (1875) lxxiii. 397 Instructions which were briefed to him in the case.

a. To give a brief to (a barrister), to instruct by brief; to retain as counsel in a suit.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > legal profession > lawyer's client > engage a lawyer [verb (transitive)] > instruct or brief

instruct1529

brief1861

1861 Trollope Orley Farm (1862) I. vii. 56 I never could look a counsel in the face again if I'd neglected to brief him with such facts as these.

1882 Pall Mall Gaz. 5 Apr. 2/2 Should his master be briefed in more than one court at the same time.

1883 Times 12 Dec. 4 The company have briefed many of the leading men at the Bar in this case.

b. To give instructions or information to. Cf. briefing n. 2.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > information > action of informing > give (information) [verb (transitive)]

learna1382

tella1382

givec1449

imparta1547

impute1594

reinform1605

reimpart1645

leave1677

volunteer1805

brief1866

to come across with1895

voice1951

1866 C. J. Lever Sir Brook Fossbrooke xliv They had not been well ‘briefed’, as lawyers say, or they had not mastered their instructions.

1940 Times 22 Aug. 5/6 These calm young men are being ‘briefed’ for a dangerous task.

1955 Bull. Atomic Scientists Apr. 119/3 Dr. McNair went to the Strategic Air Command Headquarters in Omaha to brief selected top staff officers on the results of his study.

1959 A. Lejeune Crowded & Dangerous x. 113 He handed them over to the secret police and was briefed for another job.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1888; most recently modified version published online September 2018).

n.¹1330

adj.n.²adv.c1400

v.¹1601

v.²1836

单词	brief
释义	briefn.¹ Brit. /briːf/, U.S. /brif/ Forms: Middle English bref, Middle English brefe, Middle English, 1600s breef, Middle English breyfe, 1500s–1600s breefe, briefe, 1600s breif, Sc. brife, 1500s– brief. Etymology: Middle English bref, < Old French bref (12th cent. brief) < Latin breve ‘letter, dispatch, note’, in late classical Latin ‘short catalogue, summary’, neuter of brevis ‘short’. From official Latin the word entered at an early period into all the Germanic languages. Compare Old Norse bréf (found c1015), Swedish bref, Danish brev, Old Saxon, Old Frisian brêf (Dutch brief), Old High German briof (9th cent.; Middle High German, modern German brief); but it is not recorded in Old English, and appears to have entered early Middle English from French. Here also it has remained more distinctly an official or legal word, and has not the general sense ‘letter’, which it has acquired in continental Germanic. Of uncertain sense: ?a1289 Ancrene Riwle (Cleo.: Scribe D) (1972) 99 To settin wordis o bref. I. A letter of authority. †1. A writing issued by official or legal authority; a royal letter or mandate; a writ, a summons. (Translating Latin breve and Anglo-Norman French bref in various legal meanings.) Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > law > administration of justice > process, writ, warrant, or order > [noun] brief1330 precept1427 court order1650 maintenance pending suit1952 society > communication > correspondence > letter > [noun] epistleeOE pistleOE writOE letter?c1225 brief1330 writingc1384 missive letter1519 scroll1534 missive?1553 scrieve1581 favour1645 chitty1698 chit1757 mail letter1799 1292 Britton i. i. §4 Solum ceo qe nous les maunderoms par nos brefs [as we shall authorize by our writs].] 1330 R. Mannyng Chron. 237 Edward sent his brefe to Leulyn for his land. c1425 Seven Sag. (P.) 3203 Over alle hys lond hys bref was sente To ase[m]len a comuyn parlyment. 1621 H. Elsynge Notes Deb. House of Lords (1870) App. 133 A breefe touching gold and silver thred read. 1641 Rastell's Termes de la Ley (new ed.) f. 43 Briefe signifies..the proces that issues out of the Chauncery or other Courts, commanding the Sherife to summon or attach A. to answer to the suit of B. etc., but more largely it is taken for any precept of the King in writing under seale, issuing out of any Court. 1882 Gunton in Macmillan's Mag. XLV. 450 In 1533, he was made Clerk of the Briefs in the Star Chamber. 2. a. A letter of the pope to an individual or a religious community upon matters of discipline. It differs from a bull in being less ample and solemn, and in the form in which it is written. More fully called brief apostolical or papal brief. ΘΚΠ society > faith > church government > member of the clergy > clerical superior > pope > papal documents > [noun] > encyclical papal briefa1500 breve1536 encyclical1837 encyclic1851 encyclica1888 a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xiv. 168 And, lo syrs, if ye trow not me, Ye rede this brefe. 1606 True & Perf. Relat. Y iv a The receiuing of two Brieues or Bulls from the Pope. 1618 tr. F. Guicciardini Hist. Guicciardin (ed. 3) 30 The Pope..reenioyned him eftsoones by another Briefe, the selfe same things. 1710 London Gaz. No. 4678/1 The Pope has at last given the Brief of the Cruciata to the King of Spain. 1850 A. Jameson Legends Monastic Orders 377 Dominick, armed with the papal brief, hastened thither. 1868 W. Cartwright in News of World 29 Mar. A Brief..has but the Pope's name at the beginning—‘Pius Papa IX.’—is signed by the Cardinal Secretary of Briefs, bears date from the Nativity, and is written in modern letters upon soft white parchment. †b. A letter of credentials given to mendicant friars and the like. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > law > legal document > authenticating document > [noun] > document certifying bearer > recommending bearer to alms brief1377 pacific letters1709 1377 Langland Piers Plowman B. xx. 325 The Frere..cam..to þe bisshop & his brief [C. xxiii. 327 breef] hadde In contrees þere he come in confessiouns to here. c. dialect. A begging petition. ΚΠ 1764 ‘T. Bobbin’ Let. in Wks. (1819) Introd. p. xvi Pray advise..whether, I should not have a brief [on the death of a mare]. 1879 G. F. Jackson Shropshire Word-bk. Brief, a writing setting forth the circumstances by which a poor person has incurred loss, as by fire, the death of a horse, cow, etc. Such a one takes the brief about to collect money for his indemnification. 3. A letter patent issued by the sovereign as Head of the Church, licensing a collection in the churches throughout England for a specified object of charity; called also a Church Brief or King's Letter. Obsolete in practice. ΘΚΠ society > law > legal document > types of legal or official document > [noun] > letter or letters patent > type of letter-patent brief1588 1588 ‘M. Marprelate’ Oh read ouer D. Iohn Bridges: Epist. 33 Spent thirteene score pounds in distributing briefes for a gathering towards the erecting of a Colledge. 1661 S. Pepys Diary 30 June (1970) II. 128 To church; where we observe the trade of briefes is come now up to so constant a course every Sunday, that we resolve to give no more to them. 1781 W. Cowper Charity 469 The brief proclaimed, it visits every pew, But first the squire's, a compliment but due. 1819 R. Southey Select. from Lett. (1856) III. 193 A wooden thing..such as the churchwardens carry about in the church to collect money for a brief. 1836 Penny Cycl. V. 420/2 A brief was issued, in 1835, to increase the funds of the ‘Society for the propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts’. II. 4. †a. A letter, dispatch, note. Obsolete. ΚΠ c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 794 And þan ho broght hym a bref all of brode letres, þat was comly by crafte a clerke for to rede. 1575 G. Gascoigne Fruites of Warre cxxiii, in Posies sig. Ivi^v She sent a brief vnto me by hir mayde. 1598 Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 iv. iv. 1 Hie good sir Mighell, beare this sealed briefe With..haste to the Lord Marshall. View more context for this quotation 1652 C. B. Stapylton tr. Herodian Imperiall Hist. xvii. 144 When this Briefe was to the Persians born They..flatly doe their message hold in scorn. †b. Writing, something written. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > communication > writing > written text > [noun] > piece or quantity of i-writeOE writlOE hand-writc1175 scritec1325 scripta1350 writingc1384 letterc1390 write1428 briefa1450 titlec1450 scroll1534 escript1550 passagec1550 hand write1567 side1579 scrieve1581 manuscript1600 sheetful1711 page1743 slateful1836 chirograph1844 pageful1859 M1899 a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich Hist. Holy Grail xxxi. l. 265 And the Brefis that on the schipe weren set, Signefieth holy Scripture with-owten let. a1796 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) I. 278 King David o' poetic brief, Wrought 'mang the lasses sic mischief. c. In various slang uses (see quots.). ΘΚΠ society > authority > lack of subjection > permission > [noun] > document which permits or authorizes > ticket ticket1673 card1749 brief1860 ducket1871 rover1934 society > trade and finance > management of money > keeping accounts > account or statement of > [noun] > pawnbroker's duplicate or ticket ticket1836 brief1860 society > travel > transport > transport or conveyance in a vehicle > transport by vehicles plying for hire > [noun] > driving or hiring of cabs > taxi-driver's licence medallion1925 bill1930 brief1939 society > law > law enforcement > police force or the police > [noun] > proof of identity or authority warrant card1920 brief1962 1860 J. C. Hotten Dict. Slang (ed. 2) Brief, a pawnbroker's duplicate. 1874 Hotten's Dict. Slang (rev. ed.) 97 Brief,..a raffle card, or a ticket of any kind. 1879 Macmillan's Mag. 40 501/2 I..took a brief (ticket) to London Bridge. 1889 A. Barrère & C. G. Leland Dict. Slang I. 180/1 Brief (prison), a note or letter... (Thieves), a ticket, pocket-book, pawnbroker's duplicate. 1939 H. Hodge Cab, Sir? xv. 217 It [sc. a cab-driver's licence] is also called the ‘brief’. 1962 John o' London's 25 Jan. 82/2 A policeman's warrant card is his brief. III. Something abbreviated. †5. a. A short statement or account of something that is, or might be, more fully treated; an abridgement, epitome, abstract, summary. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > space > extension in space > reduction in size or extent > [noun] > reproducing on a smaller scale > that which is abstract1561 brief1563 scantling1576 miniaturea1586 compendium1602 compendiment1605 modelet1605 baby figure1609 breviary1609 modulet1610 microcosm1611 epitomea1616 compend1642 breviate1695 reduction1728 mini1978 society > leisure > the arts > literature > prose > non-fiction > summary or epitome > [noun] abbreviationa1464 summary1509 breve1523 bridgement1523 abbreviate1531 summulary1533 breviary1547 extract1549 digest1555 brief1563 promptuary1577 abbreviature1578 institute1578 breviation1580 breviate1581 compendiary1589 symbol1594 ramass1596 compendium1608 abridgement1609 digestment1610 digestion1613 epitome1623 abridge1634 comprisal1640 comprisurea1641 syntome1641 medulla1644 multum in parvo1653 contracta1657 landscape1656 comprehension1659 sylloge1686 contraction1697 résumé1782 compend1796 sum-up1848 roundup1884 wrap-up1960 1563 J. Man tr. W. Musculus Common Places Christian Relig. 34 b A certain brief of those commaundementes [L. summa quædam eorum præceptorum]. 1589 T. Nashe Anat. Absurditie sig. Ai A suruey of their follie, a briefe of their barbarisme. 1645 E. Pagitt Heresiogr. To Rdr. sig. B1 The Creed being a briefe of the Gospell. 1691 T. Hale Acct. New Inventions 86 A Brief of the Controversie. †b. fig. ΚΠ a1613 T. Overbury Wife (1638) 44 Each woman is a briefe of Womankind. a1616 Shakespeare King John (1623) ii. i. 103 The hand of time, Shall draw this breefe into as huge a volume. View more context for this quotation †c. abstr. Small compass; reduced size. ΘΚΠ the world > space > extension in space > reduction in size or extent > [noun] > reduced size brief1575 the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > smallness > [noun] > smallness or scantiness of extent > compactness brief1575 compactness1646 snugness1799 compact1817 1575 G. Gascoigne Fruites of Warre cxci, in Posies sig. Kvi Brought into such brief. †d. A device, a motto. ΘΚΠ society > communication > indication > insignia > [noun] > emblem or device signc1300 devicea1375 remembrancea1470 posya1565 ensign1579 impresaa1586 imprese1588 brief1594 impressa1616 emblem1616 impressa1628 notado1647 impressa1656 blazoning1828 society > communication > indication > insignia > heraldic devices collective > extra-scutal devices > [noun] > motto mot1575 brief1594 motto1600 scroll1859 1594 T. Nashe Vnfortunate Traveller sig. I^v With this briefe, Qui inuident egent. †6. A list, catalogue; an invoice, memorandum. ΘΚΠ society > communication > record > list > [noun] tableOE scorec1325 billa1340 calendar?a1400 legendc1400 librarya1450 Ragmanc1450 Ragman rollc1450 cataloguea1464 repertory1542 scrowa1545 bedroll?1552 roll1565 file1566 state1582 inventory1589 brief1600 series1601 counter-roll1603 list1604 muster roll1605 cense1615 pinax1625 repertoirec1626 diagram1631 recensiona1638 repertorium1667 vocabulary1694 albe1697 enumeration1725 screed1748 album1753 tableau1792 roll-call1833 shopping list1923 laundry list1958 remainder list1977 1600 Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream v. i. 42 There is a briefe, how many sports are ripe. View more context for this quotation 1601 F. Tate Househ. Ord. Edward II (1876) §10. 10 He shal make a breef everi day of the parcels of al manner of things delivered & spent. 1601 F. Tate Househ. Ord. Edward II §47. 28 Therof aunswere daily at the briefs to the clarke of the botery. 1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. Briefs of the dead, Brevia mortuorum, were letters sent by the monks of one monastery to those of another..to inform them of the deaths or obits of their monks. 1849 D. Rock Church our Fathers II. vii. 380 The Death-bill, called by some the Mortuary-Roll or Brief. 7. a. Law. A summary of the facts of a case, with reference to the points of law supposed to be applicable to them, drawn up for the instruction of counsel conducting the case in court. to hold a brief: to be retained as counsel in a case, to argue a point for; also fig. in phr. to hold a brief for (a person): to express oneself like an advocate rather than an unbiased and critical appraiser; frequently in neg. to hold no brief for: to be no advocate or supporter of; to take a brief: to accept the conduct of a case. ΘΚΠ society > law > legal profession > [noun] > instructions or briefs instructions1529 breviate1594 brief1631 memorial1729 soup1856 watching brief1886 docker1889 dock brief1909 amicus curiae brief1919 society > law > legal profession > practice law [verb (intransitive)] > practise at the bar > accept a case to take a brief1869 the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > support or encouragement > support or encourage [verb (transitive)] shoveOE to hold with (arch. of, on, for)1154 favour1362 abetc1380 sustainc1390 supportc1405 courage1470 comfort1481 friend1550 through-bear1554 countenance1568 foster1569 favourize1585 seconda1586 sidea1601 rally1624 feed1626 countenance1654 encourage1668 inserve1683 to go strong on1822 partake1861 sponsor1884 to hold a brief for1888 root1889 rah-rah1940 affirm1970 babysit1973 barrack- the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > hold in contempt [verb (transitive)] forhowc900 overhowOE withhuheOE forhecchec1230 scorna1275 despise1297 spise13.. to set at a pease, at a pie's heel, at a pin's fee1303 to hold, have scorn at, ofc1320 to think scorn ofc1320 to set short by1377 to tell short of1377 to set naught or nought (nothing, not anything) by1390 spitea1400 contemnc1425 nought1440 overlooka1450 mainprizec1450 lightly1451 vilipendc1470 indeign1483 misprize1483 dain?1518 to look down on (also upon)1539 floccipend1548 contempta1555 to take scorn ata1566 embase1577 sdeign1590 disesteem1594 vilify1599 to set lightly, coldly1604 disrepute1611 to hold cheapa1616 avile1616 floccify1623 meprize1633 to think (also believe, etc.) meanly of1642 publican1648 naucify1653 disesteem1659 invalue1673 to set light, at light1718 sneeze1806 sniff1837 derry1896 to hold no brief for1918 1631 in S. R. Gardiner Rep. Cases Star Chamber & High Comm. (1886) 39 To print or write breifes of a cause before the hearing..is to be accounted scandalous. 1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 186. ⁋3 The young Fellow..seemed to hold his Brief in his Hand rather to help his Action. a1794 Gibbon Memoirs in Misc. Wks. (1796) I. 156 I spoke as a lawyer from my brief. 1826 B. Disraeli Vivian Grey II. iii. viii. 118 It is the first day of the Assize, so there is some chance of a brief. 1869 J. R. Seeley Lect. & Ess. i. 7 Ready as Cicero showed himself to take..a brief..from accused and guilty governors. 1888 M. Arnold in 19th Cent. Jan. 24 Professor Dowden holds a brief for Shelley; he pleads for Shelley as an advocate pleads for his client. 1918 R. A. Knox Spiritual Aeneid 215 When I was at Balliol, we used to adapt the phrase ‘I hold no brief for So-and-so’. b. = briefing n. 2. ΘΚΠ society > communication > information > action of informing > [noun] > a briefing brief1856 briefing1940 fill-in1946 dog-and-pony show1966 dog-and-pony1989 1856 W. Bagehot in National Rev. 3 164 The calling of a constitutional statesman is very much that of a political advocate; he receives a new brief with the changing circumstances of each successive day. 1940 Sphere 10 Aug. 164 The pilots and navigators receive their ‘briefs’. 1940 Times 22 Aug. 5/6 (heading) The ‘Brief’ For A Long Journey and Distant Target. 1949 Economist 27 Aug. 465/1 The last touches have been put to the brief which Sir Stafford Cripps and Mr Ernest Bevin will be taking with them for the Washington financial talks. c. (See quot. 1923) Cf. brief-paper n. at Compounds 1b. ΘΚΠ society > communication > writing > writing materials > material to write on > paper > [noun] > paper for legal use brief-paper1796 legal cap1844 briefing-post1865 bond papera1877 legal pad1882 brief1923 society > communication > writing > writing materials > material to write on > paper > [noun] > paper for legal use > standard size of legal bags or envelopes brief1923 1923 H. A. Maddox Dict. Stationery 15 Brief, (1) A standard size of legal bags or envelopes measuring 14 in. by 5 in. (2) A legal pattern of ruled or watermarked foolscap comprising 36 or 42 feint lines and a marginal line. IV. Something brief or short. †8. Music. A short note; = breve n. 2. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > duration of notes > [noun] > short note or breve streinantc1325 brevec1460 briefa1500 strene note1550 short1591 a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xiii. 153 What was his song? Hard ye not how he crakyd it, Thre brefes to a long? 1594 R. Barnfield Shepheard Content iii. sig. Eij No Briefes nor Semi-Briefes are in my Songs. 1609 J. Dowland tr. A. Ornithoparchus Micrologus 39 A Breefe is a Figure which hath a body foure-square, and wants a tayle. 1658 A. Cokayne Small Poems 79 His life..Death made it be a Briefe... Crotchets he had good store. †9. Grammar. A short syllable, = breve n. 3. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > linguistics > study of speech sound > speech sound > [noun] > syllabic sound > syllable > type of breve1548 brief?1560 suppletive1666 alienisparsison1856 fortisparsison1856 gravisparsison1856 closed syllable1881 nonsense syllable1885 pre-head1958 ?1560 H. Rhodes Bk. Nurture (new ed.) sig. Aiii^v Corrupt in speche my breues and longes to know. †10. Cards. A means of cheating at cards. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > card-sharping or cheating > [noun] > methods of palm1664 high game1665 palming1671 slick1674 brief1680 gammoning1700 shoulder-dash1711 bridge1773 weaving1803 bridging1843 palmistry1859 slipping1864 stocking1887 big mitt1903 1680 C. Cotton in G. W. Singer Researches Hist. Playing Cards 339 The breef..Take a pack of cards and open them; then take out all the honours..then take the rest and cut a little from the edges of them all alike, by which means the honours will be broader than the rest, so that when your adversary cuts to you, you are certain of an honour; when you cut to your adversary cut at the ends. 11. plural. Very short knickers (see knickers n. 2), or trunks. ΘΚΠ the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > underwear > [noun] > underpants > short briefs1934 trunksa1935 short shorts1946 1934 Books of To-Day Nov. 10/1 I'm bored to tears with ‘scanties’, I'm sick to death of ‘briefs’. 1959 ‘M. Neville’ Sweet Night for Murder iii. 40 Cathy, in minute briefs and bra, struggling into her dress. 1968 J. Ironside Fashion Alphabet 66 Briefs, snugly fitting panties with straight leg and crutch. Compounds C1. General attributive. a. brief-fed adj. ΚΠ 1820 T. Mitchell tr. Aristophanes Acharnians in tr. Aristophanes Comedies I. 92 The brief-fed spark..In haste uprises to display his powers of wit and story. b. brief-paper n. ΘΚΠ society > communication > writing > writing materials > material to write on > paper > [noun] > paper for legal use brief-paper1796 legal cap1844 briefing-post1865 bond papera1877 legal pad1882 brief1923 1796 Archaeologia 12 116 Brief paper, even and thin, but yellow with age. C2. brief-bag n. the blue or red bag in which a barrister carries his briefs to and from court. ΘΚΠ society > law > legal profession > [noun] > lawyer's bag buckram1607 buckram-bag1611 wallet1645 green bag1660 blue bag1788 red bag1845 brief-bag1848 1848 Punch 15 190/1 If my brief-bag is clear, so is my conscience. 1865 G. Measom Guide G.E.R. (advt.) 4 Brief Bags. 1895 Cassell's Family Mag. 323/2 Brief-bags carried by..lawyers' clerks. 1910 Encycl. Brit. IV. 562/1 English brief-bags are now either blue or red. Blue bags are those with which barristers provide themselves when first called, and it is a breach of etiquette to let this bag be visible in court. The only brief-bag allowed to be placed on the desks is the red bag, which by English legal etiquette is given by a leading counsel to a junior who has been useful to him in some important case. brief-case n. a small case made of leather, etc., for carrying papers, documents, and the like. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > equipment > receptacle or container > case or container > [noun] > for documents paper-case1679 serviette1891 attaché case1904 brief-case1926 document case1936 business case1938 attaché1972 1926 Amer. Speech 1 444/1 ‘Why don't you rest to-night?’..‘The why is in my briefcase.’ 1954 T. S. Eliot Confidential Clerk i. 15 Enter Colby Simpkins with brief case. 1967 S. Beckett Eh Joe & Other Writings 36 He drops briefcase. brief-money n. money collected under authority of a brief. ΘΚΠ society > faith > worship > benefice > other financial matters > [noun] > collection > collected under authority of a brief brief-money1686 1686 Lady Russell Lett. I. xxxiv. 88 The disposers of the brief-money met the first time yesterday. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1888; most recently modified version published online September 2018). briefadj.n.²adv. Brit. /briːf/, U.S. /brif/ Forms: Middle English–1500s bref, breff, brefe, Middle English–1500s bryef, breve, breue, breyf(fe, 1500s–1600s breefe, briefe, 1600s breif(e, 1500s– brief. Etymology: Middle English bref, < Old French bref, feminine breve (= Provençal breu, Catalan breu, Italian breve, Spanish breve, Portuguese breve) < Latin brevem, nominative brevis, short. The vowel has been lengthened in English, as in chief, relief, etc. A. adj. 1. a. Of short duration, quickly passing away or ending. ΘΚΠ the world > time > duration > shortness or brevity in time > [adjective] shortc888 littleOE shortlya1050 briefc1400 momentlya1425 small?a1439 momentany1447 momentaneous?a1450 stunta1450 momentaryc1485 momentane1510 hourlya1535 sudden1561 momentaneala1581 span-long1593 momentaneana1599 momental1606 narrow1611 timeless1657 concise1785 succinct1796 ultra-short1962 c1400 (?c1380) Pearl l. 268 & busyez þe aboute a raysoun bref. c1400 Beryn 871 Goith hymselff a begging aftir in breff tyme. a1616 Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) v. v. 22 Out, out, breefe Candle, Life's but a walking Shadow. View more context for this quotation a1616 Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) ii. ii. 121 Man, proud man, Drest in a little briefe authoritie. View more context for this quotation 1828 T. Carlyle Burns in Edinb. Rev. Dec. 302 Some brief, pure moments of poetic life. 1847 Tennyson Princess iv. 70 O tell her, brief is life but love is long, And brief the sun of summer in the North, And brief the moon of beauty in the South. †b. to be brief: to be expeditious or hasty. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > manner of action > rapidity or speed of action or operation > proceed rapidly [verb (intransitive)] > act expeditiously to make (it) short1490 dispatch1581 to be brief1609 to claw it off1615 to dance Barnaby1664 1609 Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida iv. vii. 121 Achil. Behold thy fill. Hect. Nay I haue done already. Achil. Thou art too briefe. View more context for this quotation 2. a. Occupying short time in speaking or reading; consisting of few words, short, concise. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > conciseness > [adjective] compendious1388 briefc1430 short1487 short and sweet1545 curted1568 summarc1575 laconical1576 summary1582 succinct1585 totala1586 laconic1589 concisec1590 compendiary1609 press?1611 curt1631 Spartan1644 nutshell1647 severe1680 Lacedaemonian1780 straightforward1806 uncircumlocutory1808 shorthand1822 Spartanlike1838 unwordy1841 nutshelly1843 tight1870 Spartanic1882 unfarced1890 serried1899 taut1916 c1430 Hymns Virg. (1867) 55 Ihesu spak wiþ wordis breue. a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. xxxv. f. xiiii The more partie of wryters reherce in most breuest or shortest maner. 1546 Wycklyffes Wycket sig. A.ii A verye brefe diffinition of these wordes. 1547 Act 1 Edw. VI iii. §16 The Curate [shall]..make..a godly and briefe exhortation. 1603 Shakespeare Hamlet ii. ii. 527 The Chronicles And briefe abstracts of the time. a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) I. 263 So 'tis in Books the chief Of all Perfections to be plain and brief. 1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World ii. 151 I shall give a brief Account of it all. 1841 T. Carlyle On Heroes vi. 331 As the briefest definition, one might say, [etc.]. b. to be brief: to speak concisely. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > conciseness > be concise or brief [verb (intransitive)] to be at a (also one) wordOE to make short1556 to be brief1588 abbreviate1596 to cut short1691 to cut (also make) a long story short1732 to make short of long1883 1588 A. Fraunce Lawiers Logike i. iv. f. 27 As if a man, meaning to be brief, should promise that he would gallop over al the rest of his text. 1644 Milton Of Educ. 1 Briefe I shall endeavour to be. 1762 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Painting II. iii. 79 I shall be but brief on the circumstances of his life. c. Curt or abrupt in manner. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > discourtesy > [adjective] > curt or brusque short1390 cutted1530 snappish1542 abrupt1578 stunt1581 blunt1590 brusquea1639 snapping1642 blatec1650 brisk1665 bluff1705 offhand1708 prerupt1727 squab1737 prompt1768 crisp1814 brief1818 stuntya1825 curt1831 snappy1834 bluffy1844 nebby1873 offhandish1886 nebsy1894 1818 Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian vii, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. IV. 152 The bearing of the gracious Duncan was brief, bluff, and consequential. 3. Less usually of extent in space: Short, curtailed, limited. (Cf. a1616¹ at sense A. 1a.) ΘΚΠ the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > longitudinal extent > shortness > [adjective] > shortened docked1408 abbreviatec1425 abridged?c1430 shorted1483 abbreviatedc1487 curtailed1561 curted1568 curtala1592 shortened1598 curt1665 brief1668 curtate1893 1668 N. Culpeper & A. Cole tr. T. Bartholin Anat. (new ed.) ii. vi. 97 Contracting the whole Heart in a brief manner. 1823 Scott St. Ronan's Well I. vi. 126 Wearing the briefest petticoat of any nymph of St Ronan's. 1863 N. Hawthorne Our Old Home I. 61 A small play-place..permeated by brief paths. †4. fig. Limited, slight, restricted. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adjective] > slight brief1432 ride?a1500 nice1561 remote1625 slim1671 faint1726 slightish1761 1432–50 tr. Higden (1865) I. 71 Some men of pover and breve intellecte. a1616 Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) v. vi. 165 Postures, beyond breefe Nature. View more context for this quotation 5. Rife; common; prevalent: often used of epidemic diseases. dialect. (The origin of this sense is not clear: the Shakespeare quot. is generally cited as an example, but is by no means certain.) ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > [adjective] > general or prevalent > specifically of bad things rifelOE brief1706 a1616 Shakespeare King John (1623) iv. iii. 159 A thousand businesses are briefe in hand, And heauen it selfe doth frowne vpon the Land. View more context for this quotation] 1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) Brief, rife, or common. 1721–1800 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. Brief, common, or rife. 1848–60 J. R. Bartlett Dict. Americanisms Brief, rife, common, prevalent. This word is..much used by the uneducated in the interior of New England and in Virginia, when speaking of epidemic diseases. 1879 G. F. Jackson Shropshire Word-bk. Brief, prevalent, general. 1881 S. Evans Evans's Leicestershire Words (new ed.) (at cited word) ‘Colds are very brief this east wind.’ B. n.² a. in brief: in few words, shortly, concisely. With ellipsis of ‘to speak’: In short, to sum up. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > conciseness > [adverb] shortlyc893 brieflya1300 shortc1374 in sumc1384 compendiously1398 in brief1423 roundlya1516 succinctly?1537 brief1557 succinct1593 abbreviately1599 compactly1603 laconically1631 presslya1637 compactedly1649 curtly1654 concisely1686 laconicly1709 straightforwardly1874 scantly1885 society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > conciseness > [adverb] > in short at a (also one) wordOE at few wordsOE shortly1303 in short wordsc1380 oncec1384 in short and plainc1386 in sum?a1425 at short wordsa1450 at short1513 briefly?1521 in a word1522 in one word1522 with a word1522 summa1535 to be short1544 in (the) fine1545 in few1550 summarily1567 in a sum1574 in shorta1577 in brief1609 briefa1616 in a little1623 tout court1747 sans phrase1808 in a nutshell1822 in nuce1854 1423 Kingis Quair cxxvii Off quhich ryght thus hir ansuere was in bref. 1609 D. Rogers Harl. MS. 1944 lf. 22 A man..published..the matter of y^e playes in breife. a1616 Shakespeare King John (1623) ii. i. 267 In breefe, we are the King of Englands subiects. View more context for this quotation 1667 Milton Paradise Lost vi. 171 To whom in brief thus Abdiel stern repli'd. View more context for this quotation 1800–24 T. Campbell Cherubs 29 Ay, and a cut-throat too;—in brief, The greatest scoundrel living. 1833 H. Martineau French Wines & Politics ii. 21 Charles gave in brief the story of the storm. †b. the brief, used absol. like the short. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > literature > prose > non-fiction > summary or epitome > [noun] > synoptical statement abstract1436 titling1465 capitulation1523 aphorism1528 argument1535 table1560 analysis1588 the brief1601 abstractive1611 synopsis1611 method1614 synopsy1616 modela1626 scheme1652 syllabus1653 précis1760 summing up1795 aperçu1828 conspectus1839 vidimus1884 auto-abstract1892 standfirst1972 1601 Bp. W. Barlow Serm. Paules Crosse Martij 1600 48 The chiefe, and the briefe is this. a1616 Shakespeare Henry V (1623) iii. iii. 61 That is the breff and the long. View more context for this quotation a1616 Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) ii. iii. 30 'Tis very straunge, that is the breefe and the tedious of it. View more context for this quotation C. adv. a. Shortly, quickly; in few words, concisely. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > conciseness > [adverb] shortlyc893 brieflya1300 shortc1374 in sumc1384 compendiously1398 in brief1423 roundlya1516 succinctly?1537 brief1557 succinct1593 abbreviately1599 compactly1603 laconically1631 presslya1637 compactedly1649 curtly1654 concisely1686 laconicly1709 straightforwardly1874 scantly1885 1557 T. North tr. A. de Guevara Diall Princes (1582) 79 b In this sort I should write vnto thee briefe and touching the purpose. 1597 Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet iii. iii. 173 It were a griefe so breefe to part with thee. View more context for this quotation 1667 Milton Paradise Lost iv. 875 Those two approachd And brief related whom they brought. View more context for this quotation b. In brief. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > conciseness > [adverb] > in short at a (also one) wordOE at few wordsOE shortly1303 in short wordsc1380 oncec1384 in short and plainc1386 in sum?a1425 at short wordsa1450 at short1513 briefly?1521 in a word1522 in one word1522 with a word1522 summa1535 to be short1544 in (the) fine1545 in few1550 summarily1567 in a sum1574 in shorta1577 in brief1609 briefa1616 in a little1623 tout court1747 sans phrase1808 in a nutshell1822 in nuce1854 a1616 Shakespeare As you like It (1623) iv. iii. 151 Briefe, I recouer'd him. View more context for this quotation 1855 R. Browning Fra Lippo Lippi in Men & Women I. 40 Brief, they made a monk of me. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1888; most recently modified version published online June 2018). briefv.¹ Etymology: < brief adj. †1. transitive. To shorten, abbreviate, abridge; also with up. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > literature > prose > non-fiction > summary or epitome > summarize or abridge [verb (transitive)] abrevya1325 comprehendc1369 abridgec1384 shorta1390 suma1398 abbreviate?a1475 shorten1530 to cut short?1542 curtail1553 to knit up1553 to wind up1583 clip1598 epitomize1599 brief1601 contract1604 to shut up1622 decurt1631 to sum up1642 breviate1663 curtilate1665 compendize1693 epitomate1702 to gather up1782 summarize1808 scissor1829 précis1856 to cut down1857 to boil down1880 synopsize1882 essence1888 résumé1888 short copy1891 bovrilize1900 pot1927 summate1951 capsulize1958 profile1970 1601 R. Johnson in tr. G. Botero Trauellers Breuiat sig. A2^v Compendiousnes in briefing such varietie of matter to so small a volume. 1618 T. Adams Happines of Church i. 333 Both thy latitude and extention are brief'd vp. 2. To relate briefly. ΚΠ 1904 F. Lynde Grafters vii He briefed the story of House Bill Twenty-nine for her, pointing out the probabilities. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1888; most recently modified version published online September 2018). briefv.² Brit. /briːf/, U.S. /brif/ Etymology: < brief n.¹ 7. 1. transitive. To reduce to the form of a counsel's brief. ΘΚΠ society > law > legal profession > practice law [verb (transitive)] > reduce to form of brief breviate1663 brief1836 1836 C. Richardson New Dict. Eng. Lang. I. (at cited word) It is common among English lawyers as, to brief the pleadings. 2. To put (instructions) into the form of a brief to a barrister. Also fig. ΘΚΠ society > law > legal profession > lawyer's client > engage a lawyer [verb (transitive)] > instruct or brief > put (instructions) to brief1864 1864 G. Dyce Bella Donna I. 304 Being ‘briefed’ to Maxwell, they all fell into one common mould. 1872 C. J. Lever Ld. Kilgobbin (1875) lxxiii. 397 Instructions which were briefed to him in the case. 3. a. To give a brief to (a barrister), to instruct by brief; to retain as counsel in a suit. ΘΚΠ society > law > legal profession > lawyer's client > engage a lawyer [verb (transitive)] > instruct or brief instruct1529 brief1861 1861 Trollope Orley Farm (1862) I. vii. 56 I never could look a counsel in the face again if I'd neglected to brief him with such facts as these. 1882 Pall Mall Gaz. 5 Apr. 2/2 Should his master be briefed in more than one court at the same time. 1883 Times 12 Dec. 4 The company have briefed many of the leading men at the Bar in this case. b. To give instructions or information to. Cf. briefing n. 2. ΘΚΠ society > communication > information > action of informing > give (information) [verb (transitive)] learna1382 tella1382 givec1449 imparta1547 impute1594 reinform1605 reimpart1645 leave1677 volunteer1805 brief1866 to come across with1895 voice1951 1866 C. J. Lever Sir Brook Fossbrooke xliv They had not been well ‘briefed’, as lawyers say, or they had not mastered their instructions. 1940 Times 22 Aug. 5/6 These calm young men are being ‘briefed’ for a dangerous task. 1955 Bull. Atomic Scientists Apr. 119/3 Dr. McNair went to the Strategic Air Command Headquarters in Omaha to brief selected top staff officers on the results of his study. 1959 A. Lejeune Crowded & Dangerous x. 113 He handed them over to the secret police and was briefed for another job. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1888; most recently modified version published online September 2018). < n.¹1330adj.n.²adv.c1400v.¹1601v.²1836
随便看	in fact in faction with in failance of in fairness in faith in family in fang with in farm in fashion to in favor of in favour of in favour to in fawn in fay in fear in fear for one's life in fear of one's life in fee in fee-simple in feeling in feesimple in feint in feir of war in ferd in fere

briefn.1

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briefadj.n.2adv.

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briefadj.n.²adv.

briefv.¹

briefv.²