BRIEF

brief. Brief, n. short extract or instructions, letters patent

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Brief (�), a. [[OE. bref, F. brief, bref, fr. L. brevis; akin to Gr. � short, and perh. to Skr. barh to tear. Cf. Breve.]] 1. 1. Short in duration.
How brief the life of man. Shak. 2. 2. Concise; terse; succinct.
The brief style is that which expresseth much in little. B. Jonson. 3. 3. Rife; common; prevalent.
In brief. See under Brief, n. Syn. — Short; concise; succinct; summary; compendious; condensed; terse; curt; transitory; short-lived.