brief

brief, concise, compact

这些形容词均有“简短的、简洁的”之意。
brief: 指语言文学简明扼要，短小精悍，也用于指时间意义很强的短暂的过程。
concise: 书面用词，可与brief换用，指语言文学言简意赅，无多余的话。
compact: 指为了方便把某物压缩到最小程度，也指紧凑、简洁的文体。

名词 brief:

1. a document stating the facts and points of law of a client's case
   同义词：legal brief
2. a condensed written summary or abstract

动词 brief:

1. give essential information to someone

形容词 brief:

1. of short duration or distance
   同义词：little
2. concise and succinct
3. (of clothing) very short
   同义词：abbreviated

1. The company has briefed a top lawyer to defend it.
   公司已将案件委托给最好的律师进行辩护。
2. I hold no brief for those who say that violence can be justified.
   我不赞成人们说有时使用暴力是合乎情理的。
3. The Air Commodore briefed the bomber crew on their dangerous mission.
   空军准将向轰炸机机组下达执行危险任务的各项指示。
4. He drew up a brief for his speech.
   他起草了一份讲话的概要。
5. Please be brief because I am in a hurry.
   我有急事，请长话短说。

brief

adj.（形容词）
brief.er,brief.est
Short in time, duration, length, or extent.
短的：指时间、期间、长度或广度短的
Succinct; concise:
简洁的；扼要的：
例句：
a brief account of the incident.
对事件简短的陈述

Curt; abrupt.
简慢的；唐突的
n.（名词）
A short, succinct statement.
简短，扼要的陈述
A condensation or an abstract of a larger document or series of documents.
概要，摘要：一份较长的文件或一系列文件的要义浓缩
Abbr. br.Law
缩写 br.【法律】
A formal outline listing main contentions along with supporting evidence and documentation.
辩护状：陈列了主要论点，并附有证据和文书的正式纲要
A document containing all the facts and points of law pertinent to a specific case, filed by an attorney before arguing the case in court.
诉讼要点，案情摘要：包含与案件有关的所有证据、论点的文件，由律师出庭辩论时提出
Roman Catholic Church A papal letter that is not as formal as a bull.
【罗马天主教】 教皇通谕，教廷通牒：不如教皇诏书正规的教皇通谕
A briefing.
简报
briefs Short, tight-fitting underpants.
briefs 紧身的短内裤
v.tr.（及物动词）
briefed,brief.ing,briefs
To summarize.
作概述，作总结
To give concise preparatory instructions, information, or advice to:
事先向…简要介绍指令、信息或建议：
例句：
briefed the astronauts before the mission.
行动前简单地向宇航员介绍情况

<习惯用语>in brief
In short.
简而言之
来源：
Middle English bref
中古英语 bref
from Old French
源自 古法语
from Latin brevis
源自 拉丁语 brevis
N., Middle English bref [written communication]
名词， 中古英语 bref [通信]
from Old French
源自 古法语
from Medieval Latin breve
源自 中世纪拉丁语 breve
from Latin [neuter of] brevis [short] * see mregh-u-
源自 拉丁语 [] brevis的中性 [短的] *参见 mregh-u-

【引伸】
brief.er
n.（名词）
brief.ly
adv.（副词）
brief.ness
n.（名词）