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brevity

 - 3 dictionary results

brev⋅i⋅ty

  [brev-i-tee]
Use brevity in a Sentence
–noun
1. shortness of time or duration; briefness: the brevity of human life.
2. the quality of expressing much in few words; terseness: Brevity is the soul of wit.
Origin:
1500–10; < AF brevite, OF brievete. See brief, -ity

Synonyms:
2. compactness, succinctness, pithiness. Brevity, conciseness refer to the use of few words in speaking. Brevity emphasizes the short duration of speech: reduced to extreme brevity. Conciseness emphasizes compactness of expression: clear in spite of great conciseness.

Antonyms:
1, 2. length.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To brevity
brev·i·ty   (brěv'ĭ-tē)   
n.  

  1. The quality or state of being brief in duration.

  2. Concise expression; terseness.


[Latin brevitās, from brevis, short; see brief.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

brevity 
1509, from L. brevitatem (nom. brevitas), from brevis "short" (see brief).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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