brief

Of short duration; happening quickly.

Her reign was brief but spectacular.

Concise; taking few words.

His speech of acceptance was brief but moving.

Occupying a small distance, area or spatial extent; short.

Her skirt was extremely brief but doubtless cool.

(obsolete)Rife; common; prevalent.

(law) A writ summoning one to answer; an official letter or mandate.

(law) An answer to any action.

A written answer or any other brief shall be submitted to the court while allowing a period necessary for the opponent to make preparations with regard to the matters stated therein.

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

(broadly, figuratively)(by extension, figurative) A position of interest or advocacy.

(law) An attorney's legal argument in written form for submission to a court.

(English)(English law) The material relevant to a case, delivered by a solicitor to the barrister who is counsel for the case.

(English, slang)(English law, slang) A barrister who is counsel for a party in a legal action.

A short news story or report.

We got a news brief.

(plural normally)(usually in the plural) Underwear briefs.

I wear boxer shorts under trousers but for sports I usually wear a brief.

(plural normally)(usually in the plural) Swimming briefs.

(obsolete)A summary, précis or epitome; an abridgement or abstract.

(UK, historical)A letter patent, from proper authority, authorizing a collection or charitable contribution of money in churches, for any public or private purpose.

(transitive)To 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.

(transitive)(transitive, law) To write a legal argument and submit it to a court.

(obsolete, poetic)Briefly.

(obsolete, poetic)Soon; quickly.