lasting or taking a short time; of short duration

a brief walk; a brief stay in the country.

using few words; concise; succinct

a brief report on weather conditions.

abrupt or curt.

scanty

a brief bathing suit.

a short and concise statement or written item.

an outline, the form of which is determined by set rules, of all the possible arguments and information on one side of a controversy

a debater's brief.

Law .

a writ summoning one to answer to any action.

a memorandum of points of fact or of law for use in conducting a case.

a written argument submitted to a court.

(in England) the material relevant to a case, delivered by a solicitor to the barrister who tries the case.

an outline, summary, or synopsis, as of a book.

briefs, ( used with a plural verb ) close-fitting, legless underpants with an elastic waistband.

briefing.

Roman Catholic Church . a papal letter less formal than a bull, sealed with the pope's signet ring or stamped with the device borne on this ring.

British Theater . a free ticket; pass.

Obsolete . a letter.

to make an abstract or summary of.

to instruct by a brief or briefing

They brief all the agents before assigning them.

Law . to retain as advocate in a suit. ?

hold a brief for

to support or defend by argument; endorse.

in brief

in a few words; in short

The supervisor outlined in brief the duties of the new assistant.

adjective

lengthy , long , enduring , lasting , long-lived

verb

hide , secret

adjective

abrupt , bluff , blunt , boiled down , breviloquent , brusque , compendiary , compendious , concise , crisp , curt , hasty , laconic , limited , little , pithy , sharp , short and sweet * , skimpy , small , snippy , succinct , surly , terse , to the point , curtailed , ephemeral , fast , fleeting , instantaneous , meteoric , momentary , passing , quick , short-lived , short-term , swift , temporary , transient , transitory , short , expeditious , flying , hurried , rapid , speedy , lean , summary , crusty , gruff , short-spoken , briefly , concise. short , cryptic , cursory , epigrammatic , evanescent , fugacious , monosyllabic , paucis verbis , perfunctory , superficial , vanishing

noun

abstract , argument , boildown , case , condensation , conspectus , contention , data , defense , digest , epitome , outline , prcis , sketch , summary , synopsis , abridgment , breve , breviary , brevity , cameo , compendium , inventory , monosyllabicity , precept , shortness , short shrift , summarization , syllabus , writ

verb

abridge , advise , apprise , edify , enlighten , epitomize , explain , fill in , give rundown , give the lowdown , inform , initiate , instruct , let in on , orient , prepare , prime , recapitulate , show the lay of the land , show the ropes , summarize , tip off , update , abridgment , abrupt , argument , blurb , case , charm , common , compact , compendium , compose , concise , condensation , condense , condensed , crisp , curt , few , fleeting , invoice , letter , limited , list , mandate , memorandum , momentary , outline , passing , quick , short , succinct , summary , syllabus , temporary , terse , transitory , writ