briefBRIEF, 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.] 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. In music, the word, if I mistake not, is now written breve. |