<p><strong>Adjective</strong></p><ul><li>lasting or taking a short time; of short duration: a brief walk; a brief stay in the country</li><li>Synonyms: transient, ephemeral, transitory, fleeting, short-lived</li><li>using few words; concise; succinct: a brief report on weather conditions</li><li>Synonyms: condensed, pithy, compact, terse</li><li>abrupt or curt</li><li>scanty: a brief bathing suit</li></ul><p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>a short and concise statement or written item</li><li>Synonyms: abstract, epitome, précis, outline</li><li>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</li><li>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</li><li>an outline, summary, or synopsis, as of a book</li><li>briefs: close-fitting, legless underpants with an elastic waistband</li><li>a briefing</li><li>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</li><li>British Theater: a free ticket; pass</li><li>Obsolete: a letter</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used with object)</strong></p><ul><li>to make an abstract or summary of</li><li>Synonyms: outline, summarize</li><li>to instruct by a brief or briefing: They brief all the agents before assigning them</li><li>Law: to retain as advocate in a suit</li></ul>