brief

Word family adjective brief brieflessadverb briefly nounbriefingbriefnessbriefcase

brief1 /briːf/ S2 W2 AWL adjectiveadj

1 TIMESHORT TIMEcontinuing for a short time 短时间的；短暂的 → brevity

We stopped by Alice’s house for a brief visit.

我们顺路在艾丽斯家小坐片刻。

Let’s keep this conversation brief; I have a plane to catch.

我们长话短说吧，我还要赶飞机。

a brief period/moment/spell etc

Greene spent a brief time at Cambridge.

格林在剑桥短暂生活过一段时间。

► see thesaurus at short

2 SPEECH/LETTERSHORT/NOT LONGusing very few words or including few details 简洁的，简明的 → brevity

The president read a brief statement to reporters before boarding his plane.

总统登机前向记者宣读了一篇简短的声明。

a brief description of the film

影片的简短介绍

3 be brief SHORT/NOT LONGto say or write something using only a few words, especially because there is little time 长话短说

I’ll be brief; a lot of changes are going to happen.

我就长话短说吧，接下来将会发生许多变化。

Examples from the Corpus

be brief• I'm sure you're all very busy, so I'll be brief.• Sometimes the dates do not tally with known events, and often the entries are brief.• The client should then be briefed.• I'll be brief - a lot of changes are going to happen.• Lieutenant, I'll be brief and I'll be candid -- when do you plan to leave?• I'll be as brief as possible so as not to waste your time.• The dream is brief but perplexing.• Here are brief extracts from public Elgar performances caught on the wing.• Your task is a series of missions, each more perilous than the last, and you are briefed on each beforehand.• Senior members of Congress were briefed on the details of the arms deal.• Writing is not much given to elaborating events that are brief, sudden, and inexplicable.• The moments of ecstasy were brief, the hours of remorse endless.

4 CLOTHESSHORT/NOT LONGclothes that are brief are short and cover only a small area of your body 〔衣服〕短的，暴露的

a very brief bikini

非常暴露的比基尼泳装

n COLLOCATIONS

nouns

a brief period/time

He lived there all his life, apart from a brief period during the war.

a brief spell (=time)

For a brief spell in early summer it is the most beautiful of all the trees.

a brief moment

The old lady’s gaze rested on her for a brief moment.

a brief visit

The president flew to Argentina for a brief visit.

a brief look

He gave her a brief look.

a brief glimpse (=a sight of something that lasts for a short time)

From the train I had a brief glimpse of the city.

a brief pause

There was a brief pause before he replied.

a brief silence

After a brief silence, she made another suggestion.

a brief appearance

He made a brief appearance before reporters outside his Manhattan townhouse.

Examples from the Corpus

brief• The tale of Trescothick is briefer.• Let's keep the meeting as brief as possible.• Police caught the man after a brief chase.• This late summer would be brief enough, the warm unseasonable days of mellow sunshine couldn't last.• The chapter concludes with a brief examination of decision process and behavioural models of industrial purchasing.• After a brief intermission, the performance continued.• There was a period of comparative stagnation in the nineties and a brief interruption following the financial panic in 1907.• There was a brief note with the flowers.• The book begins with a brief outline of the history of modern China.• A Louisiana statute authorizing a brief period of silent meditation was also challenged by students.• We just have to write a very brief piece on what we did in the vacation.• They assembled quickly to hear the brief set of orders that explained their respective tasks in the battle to come.• Blagg had tried a brief smile when Maxim flashed the torch on himself for identification, but didn't speak.• The victim's parents read a brief statement to the press.• It was impossible to see everything during our brief visit to Paris.

a brief period/moment/spell etc• Runners set intervals during which they run hard and fast for a brief period, and then recover.• For a brief moment I was his and he was mine.• For a brief period in the province's history, its affairs became entwined in the broader struggles for the monarchy.• Like a weak version of cocaine or amphetamine, alcohol boosts dopamine levels, producing a brief period of heady stimulation.• The Moon experienced only a brief period of intense internal activity early in its history.• It was just a brief spell of ownership; the war meant petrol rationing.• In 1940, for a brief moment, the democracy stopped touching its hat.

Related topics: Law

brief2 AWL noun [countableC]

1 INSTRUCTIONS[usually singular] official instructions that explain what someone’s job is, what their duties are etc 指令

The architect’s brief is to design an extension that is modern but blends with the rest of the building.

对建筑师的要求是扩建部分的设计既要有现代感，又要与大楼的其他部分浑然一体。

2 SCL law a short spoken or written statement giving facts about a law case 案情摘要；辩护状

The ACLU filed a brief (=gave one to the court) opposing the decision.

美国公民自由联盟提交了辩护状反对这个判决。

3. British EnglishBrE law a law case that a lawyer will argue in a court 委托辩护

4. a short report about something 摘要，概要

5 in brief

a) SHORT/NOT LONGin as few words as possible 简言之，一言以蔽之

We should, in brief, invest heavily in digital systems.

总之，我们应该在数字化系统上大力投资。

b) SHORT/NOT LONGwithout any details 简要地

Here again are today’s headlines in brief.

现在再次播报今天的新闻提要。

Examples from the Corpus

in brief• In brief, the President plans to cut defense spending and lower taxes.• At 9:15, they give the foreign news in brief.

6. briefs [plural]DCC men’s or women’s underwear worn on the lower part of the body 贴身短内裤，三角裤

Examples from the Corpus

brief• I've prepared a brief on the economic situation in China.• His brief was to convey coal as a developing rather than a senescent industry.• Dealing with financial matters is not part of my brief.• The architect's brief was to design an extension which would harmonize as much as possible with the existing building.• The committee's brief is to investigate and report on domestic violence in the region.• The drug squad's briefing lasted twenty minutes.• Would a seasoned brief have lost it in court so easily?• The brief given to the students was quite straightforward.• The brief comprised a list of about 80 species for each chart, grouped according to pollution tolerance.• For all but the simplest actions there should preferably be a written brief which is discussed by all concerned.

brief3 AWL verb [transitiveT]

TELLto give someone all the information about a situation that they will need 为…提供信息 → briefing

brief somebody on something

The president has been fully briefed on the current situation in Haiti.

总统听取了海地当前局势的全面汇报。

► see thesaurus at tell

→ debrief

Examples from the Corpus

brief• The client should then be briefed.• It was clear the witness had been well briefed.• DeGaulle flew back to England to be briefed about the invasion that was about to begin.• A reporter who attempted to cover the meeting was asked to leave but was briefed afterward by project officials on what happened.• Police officers were briefed before going out to arrest the suspects.• Barristers may not be approached directly by most clients: they may only be briefed by solicitors.• At Question Time the Prime Minister is backed by the civil servants who brief her and try to anticipate supplementary questions.• Make sure that the PR department are fully briefed on their role.• All teachers were personally briefed on this procedure, which is designed to minimise underreporting of smoking behaviour.• You'll be picked up from here tomorrow night and briefed on what you have to do.• However, they have not been briefed that in this case the drop zone will be changed at the last minute.

brief somebody on something• Congress has been fully briefed on the current situation in Haiti.

From Longman Business Dictionary

briefbrief1 /briːf/ noun [countableC]

1COMMERCEofficial instructions that explain what someone’s job is or what their duties are

The auditor’s brief is to monitor and report upon agencies’ effectiveness.

The topic of your talk is specified in advance, and you will be expected to keep to your brief.

→ creative brief → design brief → watching brief

2LAW a document prepared for a lawyer to use when representing a client in a court of law. The brief includes all the details of the case and all the points of law relating to it

His lawyer is still preparing his brief.

3British EnglishBrE informalLAW a SOLICITOR

It’s time you got yourself a brief.

briefbrief2 verb [transitiveT]

1COMMERCEto give someone the information they need about something, for example so that they can do work related to it

Allen was in London yesterday to brief investors about the company’s efforts to return to profitability.

2LAW to give instructions to a lawyer who will represent a client in court

The usual action must be taken to retain and brief counsel.

Origin brief1

(1200-1300) Old French Latin brevis

单词	brief
释义	brief Word family adjective brief brieflessadverb briefly nounbriefingbriefnessbriefcase brief1 /briːf/ ●●● S2 W2 AWL adjectiveadj 1 TIMESHORT TIMEcontinuing for a short time 短时间的；短暂的 → brevity We stopped by Alice’s house for a brief visit. 我们顺路在艾丽斯家小坐片刻。 Let’s keep this conversation brief; I have a plane to catch. 我们长话短说吧，我还要赶飞机。 a brief period/moment/spell etc Greene spent a brief time at Cambridge. 格林在剑桥短暂生活过一段时间。 ► see thesaurus at short 2 SPEECH/LETTERSHORT/NOT LONGusing very few words or including few details 简洁的，简明的 → brevity The president read a brief statement to reporters before boarding his plane. 总统登机前向记者宣读了一篇简短的声明。 a brief description of the film 影片的简短介绍 3 be brief SHORT/NOT LONGto say or write something using only a few words, especially because there is little time 长话短说 I’ll be brief; a lot of changes are going to happen. 我就长话短说吧，接下来将会发生许多变化。 Examples from the Corpus be brief• I'm sure you're all very busy, so I'll be brief.• Sometimes the dates do not tally with known events, and often the entries are brief.• The client should then be briefed.• I'll be brief - a lot of changes are going to happen.• Lieutenant, I'll be brief and I'll be candid -- when do you plan to leave?• I'll be as brief as possible so as not to waste your time.• The dream is brief but perplexing.• Here are brief extracts from public Elgar performances caught on the wing.• Your task is a series of missions, each more perilous than the last, and you are briefed on each beforehand.• Senior members of Congress were briefed on the details of the arms deal.• Writing is not much given to elaborating events that are brief, sudden, and inexplicable.• The moments of ecstasy were brief, the hours of remorse endless. 4 CLOTHESSHORT/NOT LONGclothes that are brief are short and cover only a small area of your body 〔衣服〕短的，暴露的 a very brief bikini 非常暴露的比基尼泳装 n COLLOCATIONS nouns a brief period/time He lived there all his life, apart from a brief period during the war. a brief spell (=time) For a brief spell in early summer it is the most beautiful of all the trees. a brief moment The old lady’s gaze rested on her for a brief moment. a brief visit The president flew to Argentina for a brief visit. a brief look He gave her a brief look. a brief glimpse (=a sight of something that lasts for a short time) From the train I had a brief glimpse of the city. a brief pause There was a brief pause before he replied. a brief silence After a brief silence, she made another suggestion. a brief appearance He made a brief appearance before reporters outside his Manhattan townhouse. Examples from the Corpus brief• The tale of Trescothick is briefer.• Let's keep the meeting as brief as possible.• Police caught the man after a brief chase.• This late summer would be brief enough, the warm unseasonable days of mellow sunshine couldn't last.• The chapter concludes with a brief examination of decision process and behavioural models of industrial purchasing.• After a brief intermission, the performance continued.• There was a period of comparative stagnation in the nineties and a brief interruption following the financial panic in 1907.• There was a brief note with the flowers.• The book begins with a brief outline of the history of modern China.• A Louisiana statute authorizing a brief period of silent meditation was also challenged by students.• We just have to write a very brief piece on what we did in the vacation.• They assembled quickly to hear the brief set of orders that explained their respective tasks in the battle to come.• Blagg had tried a brief smile when Maxim flashed the torch on himself for identification, but didn't speak.• The victim's parents read a brief statement to the press.• It was impossible to see everything during our brief visit to Paris. a brief period/moment/spell etc• Runners set intervals during which they run hard and fast for a brief period, and then recover.• For a brief moment I was his and he was mine.• For a brief period in the province's history, its affairs became entwined in the broader struggles for the monarchy.• Like a weak version of cocaine or amphetamine, alcohol boosts dopamine levels, producing a brief period of heady stimulation.• The Moon experienced only a brief period of intense internal activity early in its history.• It was just a brief spell of ownership; the war meant petrol rationing.• In 1940, for a brief moment, the democracy stopped touching its hat. Related topics: Law brief2 ●○○ AWL noun [countableC] 1 INSTRUCTIONS[usually singular] official instructions that explain what someone’s job is, what their duties are etc 指令 The architect’s brief is to design an extension that is modern but blends with the rest of the building. 对建筑师的要求是扩建部分的设计既要有现代感，又要与大楼的其他部分浑然一体。 2 SCL law a short spoken or written statement giving facts about a law case 案情摘要；辩护状 The ACLU filed a brief (=gave one to the court) opposing the decision. 美国公民自由联盟提交了辩护状反对这个判决。 3. British EnglishBrE law a law case that a lawyer will argue in a court 委托辩护 4. a short report about something 摘要，概要 5 in brief a) SHORT/NOT LONGin as few words as possible 简言之，一言以蔽之 We should, in brief, invest heavily in digital systems. 总之，我们应该在数字化系统上大力投资。 b) SHORT/NOT LONGwithout any details 简要地 Here again are today’s headlines in brief. 现在再次播报今天的新闻提要。 Examples from the Corpus in brief• In brief, the President plans to cut defense spending and lower taxes.• At 9:15, they give the foreign news in brief. 6. briefs [plural]DCC men’s or women’s underwear worn on the lower part of the body 贴身短内裤，三角裤 Examples from the Corpus brief• I've prepared a brief on the economic situation in China.• His brief was to convey coal as a developing rather than a senescent industry.• Dealing with financial matters is not part of my brief.• The architect's brief was to design an extension which would harmonize as much as possible with the existing building.• The committee's brief is to investigate and report on domestic violence in the region.• The drug squad's briefing lasted twenty minutes.• Would a seasoned brief have lost it in court so easily?• The brief given to the students was quite straightforward.• The brief comprised a list of about 80 species for each chart, grouped according to pollution tolerance.• For all but the simplest actions there should preferably be a written brief which is discussed by all concerned. brief3 ●○○ AWL verb [transitiveT] TELLto give someone all the information about a situation that they will need 为…提供信息 → briefing brief somebody on something The president has been fully briefed on the current situation in Haiti. 总统听取了海地当前局势的全面汇报。 ► see thesaurus at tell → debrief Examples from the Corpus brief• The client should then be briefed.• It was clear the witness had been well briefed.• DeGaulle flew back to England to be briefed about the invasion that was about to begin.• A reporter who attempted to cover the meeting was asked to leave but was briefed afterward by project officials on what happened.• Police officers were briefed before going out to arrest the suspects.• Barristers may not be approached directly by most clients: they may only be briefed by solicitors.• At Question Time the Prime Minister is backed by the civil servants who brief her and try to anticipate supplementary questions.• Make sure that the PR department are fully briefed on their role.• All teachers were personally briefed on this procedure, which is designed to minimise underreporting of smoking behaviour.• You'll be picked up from here tomorrow night and briefed on what you have to do.• However, they have not been briefed that in this case the drop zone will be changed at the last minute. brief somebody on something• Congress has been fully briefed on the current situation in Haiti. From Longman Business Dictionary briefbrief1 /briːf/ noun [countableC] 1COMMERCEofficial instructions that explain what someone’s job is or what their duties are The auditor’s brief is to monitor and report upon agencies’ effectiveness. The topic of your talk is specified in advance, and you will be expected to keep to your brief. → creative brief → design brief → watching brief 2LAW a document prepared for a lawyer to use when representing a client in a court of law. The brief includes all the details of the case and all the points of law relating to it His lawyer is still preparing his brief. 3British EnglishBrE informalLAW a SOLICITOR It’s time you got yourself a brief. briefbrief2 verb [transitiveT] 1COMMERCEto give someone the information they need about something, for example so that they can do work related to it Allen was in London yesterday to brief investors about the company’s efforts to return to profitability. 2LAW to give instructions to a lawyer who will represent a client in court The usual action must be taken to retain and brief counsel. Origin brief1 (1200-1300) Old French Latin brevis
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