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1828.mshaffer.com › Word [brief]
BRIEF, a. [L. brevis, when brevio, so shorten abbreviate. Brevis, in Latin, is doubtless contracted from the Gr.,whence to abridge. The Greek word coincides in elements with break.] Short; concise; it is used chiefly of language, discourses, writings and time; as a brief space, a brief review of a book. Shakespeare applies it to wars, to nature, &c. A little brief authority is authority very limited. BRIEF, n. [In this sense the word has been received into most of the languages of Europe.] 1. An epitome; a short or concise writing. This is the general sense of the word, as explained by Zonaras on the council of Carthage. It was thus used as early as the third century after Christ. In modern times, an apostolical brief is a letter which the pope dispatches to a prince or other magistrate, relating to public affairs. A brief is distinguished from a bull, in being more concise, written on paper, sealed with red wax, and impressed with the seal of the fisherman or Peter in a boat. A bull is more ample, written on parchment, and sealed with lead or green wax. 2. In law, an abridgment of a client's case, made out for the instruction of council on a trial at law.Also, a writ summoning a man to answer to any action; or any precept of the king in writing, issuing from any court, whereby he commands a thing to be done.In 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.3. A letter patent, from proper authority, authorizing a public collection or charitable contribution of money for any public or private purpose.4. A writing in general.In music, the word, if I mistake not, is now written breve.
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Evolution (or devolution) of this word [brief]
1828 Webster | 1844 Webster | 1913 Webster |
BRIEF, a. [L. brevis, when brevio, so shorten abbreviate. Brevis, in Latin, is doubtless contracted from the Gr.,whence to abridge. The Greek word coincides in elements with break.] Short; concise; it is used chiefly of language, discourses, writings and time; as a brief space, a brief review of a book. Shakespeare applies it to wars, to nature, &c. A little brief authority is authority very limited. BRIEF, n. [In this sense the word has been received into most of the languages of Europe.] 1. An epitome; a short or concise writing. This is the general sense of the word, as explained by Zonaras on the council of Carthage. It was thus used as early as the third century after Christ. In modern times, an apostolical brief is a letter which the pope dispatches to a prince or other magistrate, relating to public affairs. A brief is distinguished from a bull, in being more concise, written on paper, sealed with red wax, and impressed with the seal of the fisherman or Peter in a boat. A bull is more ample, written on parchment, and sealed with lead or green wax. 2. In law, an abridgment of a client's case, made out for the instruction of council on a trial at law.Also, a writ summoning a man to answer to any action; or any precept of the king in writing, issuing from any court, whereby he commands a thing to be done.In 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.3. A letter patent, from proper authority, authorizing a public collection or charitable contribution of money for any public or private purpose.4. A writing in general.In music, the word, if I mistake not, is now written breve. | BRIEF, a. [Fr. bref; It. Sp. and Port. breve; L. brevis, whence brevio, to shorten, abbreviate. Brevis, in Latin, is doubtless contracted from the Gr. βραχος, whence to abridge. The Greek word coincides in elements with break.]Short; concise; it is used chiefly of language, discourses, writings and time; as, a brief space, a brief review of a book. Shakespeare applies it to wars, to nature, &c. A little brief authority, is authority very limited. BRIEF, n. [In this sense the word has been received into most of the languages of Europe.]- An epitome; a short or concise writing. This is the general sense of the word, as explained by Zonaras on the council of Carthage. It was thus used as early as the third century after Christ. – Spelman.
In modern times, an apostolical brief is a letter which the pope dispatches to a prince or other magistrate, relating to public affairs. A brief is distinguished from a bull, in being more concise, written on paper, sealed with red wax, and impressed with the seal of the fisherman or Peter in a boat. A bull is more ample, written on parchment, and sealed with lead or green wax. – Encyc.
- In law, an abridgment of a client's case, made out for the instruction of council on a trial at law. – Encyc. Johnson.
Also, a writ summoning a man to answer to any action; or any precept of the king in writing, issuing from any court, whereby he commands a thing to be done. – Cowel.
In 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. – Encyc.
- A letter patent, from proper authority, authorizing a public collection or charitable contribution of money for any public or private purpose.
- A writing in general. – Shak.
In music, the word, if I mistake not, is now written breve.
| Brief
- Short in duration.
- Briefly.
- A
short concise writing or letter; a statement in few words.
- To make an abstract or
abridgment of; to shorten; as, to brief pleadings.
- Concise; terse; succinct.
- Soon; quickly.
- An epitome.
- Rife; common; prevalent.
- 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.
- A writ; a breve. See Breve,
n., 2.
- 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.
- A letter patent, from proper authority,
authorizing a collection or charitable contribution of money in churches,
for any public or private purpose.
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1828 Webster | 1844 Webster | 1913 Webster |
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Brief BRIEF, adjective [Latin brevis, when brevio, so shorten abbreviate. Brevis, in Latin, is doubtless contracted from the Gr., whence to abridge. The Greek word coincides in elements with break.] Short; concise; it is used chiefly of language, discourses, writings and time; as a brief space, a brief review of a book. Shakespeare applies it to wars, to nature, etc. A little brief authority is authority very limited. BRIEF, noun [In this sense the word has been received into most of the languages of Europe.] 1. An epitome; a short or concise writing. This is the general sense of the word, as explained by Zonaras on the council of Carthage. It was thus used as early as the third century after Christ. In modern times, an apostolical brief is a letter which the pope dispatches to a prince or other magistrate, relating to public affairs. A brief is distinguished from a bull, in being more concise, written on paper, sealed with red wax, and impressed with the seal of the fisherman or Peter in a boat. A bull is more ample, written on parchment, and sealed with lead or green wax. 2. In law, an abridgment of a client's case, made out for the instruction of council on a trial at law. Also, a writ summoning a man to answer to any action; or any precept of the king in writing, issuing from any court, whereby he commands a thing to be done. In 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. 3. A letter patent, from proper authority, authorizing a public collection or charitable contribution of money for any public or private purpose. 4. A writing in general. In music, the word, if I mistake not, is now written breve.
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Hard-cover Edition |
330 |
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508 |
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Compact Edition |
310 |
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217 |
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CD-ROM |
262 |
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176 |
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* As a note, I have purchased each of these products. In fact, as we have been developing the Project:: 1828 Reprint, I have purchased several of the bulky hard-cover dictionaries. My opinion is that the 2000-page hard-cover edition is the only good viable solution at this time. The compact edition was a bit disappointing and the CD-ROM as well. |
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