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briefly

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brief⋅ly

[breef-lee]
–adverb
1. for a short duration: He stopped over briefly in Chicago.
2. in a few words: Let me explain briefly.
3. in a brief manner; quickly or brusquely: She nodded briefly and began to speak.

Origin:
1250–1300; ME; see brief, -ly
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
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brief   (brēf)   
adj.   brief·er, brief·est
  1. Short in time, duration, length, or extent.

  2. Succinct; concise: a brief account of the incident.

  3. Curt; abrupt.

n.  
  1. A short, succinct statement.

  2. A condensation or an abstract of a larger document or series of documents.

  3. Law

    1. A formal outline listing main contentions along with supporting evidence and documentation.

    2. 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.

  4. Roman Catholic Church A papal letter that is not as formal as a bull.

  5. A briefing.

  6. briefs Short, tight-fitting underpants.

tr.v.   briefed, brief·ing, briefs
  1. To summarize.

  2. To give instructions or preparatory information to: briefed the astronauts before the mission.


[Middle English bref, from Old French, from Latin brevis. N., Middle English bref, written communication, from Old French, from Medieval Latin breve, from Latin, neuter of brevis, short; see mregh-u- in Indo-European roots.]
brief'er n., brief'ly adv., brief'ness n.
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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