Brief

Brief Brief (br[=e]f), n. [See {Brief}, a., and cf. {Breve}.] 1. A short concise writing or letter; a statement in few words. [1913 Webster]

Bear this sealed brief, With winged hastle, to the lord marshal. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

And she told me In a sweet, verbal brief. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2. An epitome. [1913 Webster]

Each woman is a brief of womankind. --Overbury. [1913 Webster]

3. (Law) An abridgment or concise statement of a client's case, made out for the instruction of counsel in a trial at law. This word is applied also to a statement of the heads or points of a law argument. [1913 Webster]

It was not without some reference to it that I perused many a brief. --Sir J. Stephen. [1913 Webster]

Note: In England, the brief is prepared by the attorney; in the United States, counsel generally make up their own briefs. [1913 Webster]

4. (Law) A writ; a breve. See {Breve}, n., 2. [1913 Webster]

5. (Scots Law) A writ issuing from the chancery, directed to any judge ordinary, commanding and authorizing that judge to call a jury to inquire into the case, and upon their verdict to pronounce sentence. [1913 Webster]

6. A letter patent, from proper authority, authorizing a collection or charitable contribution of money in churches, for any public or private purpose. [Eng.] [1913 Webster]

7. pl. a type of men's underpants without legs, fitting tightly and held by an elastic waistband; also called {Jockey shorts}. [PJC]

{Apostolical brief}, a letter of the pope written on fine parchment in modern characters, subscribed by the secretary of briefs, dated ``a die Nativitatis,'' i. e., ``from the day of the Nativity,'' and sealed with the ring of the fisherman. It differs from a bull, in its parchment, written character, date, and seal. See {Bull}.

{Brief of title}, an abstract or abridgment of all the deeds and other papers constituting the chain of title to any real estate.

{In brief}, in a few words; in short; briefly. ``Open the matter in brief.'' --Shak. [1913 Webster]