Definitions
1.nounA writ summoning one to answer to any action.
2.nounAn answer to any action.
3.nounA memorandum of points of fact or of law for use in conducting a case.
4.noun(by extension) A position of interest or advocacy.
5.nounAn attorney's legal argument in written form for submission to a court.
6.noun(English law) The material relevant to a case, delivered by a solicitor to the barrister who tries the case.
7.nounA short news story or report."We got a news brief."
8.noun(usually in the plural) undershorts briefs."I wear boxers under trousers but for sports I usually wear a brief."
9.nounA summary, précis or epitome; an abridgement or abstract.
10.nounA letter patent, from proper authority, authorizing a collection or charitable contribution of money in churches, for any public or private purpose.
11.noun(slang) A ticket of any type.
12.verbTo summarize a recent development to some person with decision-making power."The U.S. president was briefed on the military coup and its implications on African stability."
13.verbTo write a legal argument and submit it to a court.
14.adjectiveOf short duration; happening quickly."Her reign was brief but spectacular."
15.adjectiveConcise; taking few words."His speech of acceptance was brief but moving."
16.adjectiveOccupying a small distance, area or spatial extent; short."Her skirt was extremely brief but doubtless cool."
17.adjectiveRife; common; prevalent.
18.adverbBriefly.
19.adverbSoon; quickly.