Brevet, brev′et, n. a military commission entitling an officer to take rank above that for which he receives pay.—n. Brevet′cy, the condition of one holding brevet rank. [Fr.—L. brevis, short.]

Breviary, brēv′i-ar-i, n. book containing the daily service of the R.C. Church. [Fr. bréviaire—L. brevis, short.]

Breviate, brē′vi-āt, n. a short compendium: a lawyer's brief. [L. breviātusbreviāre, to shorten—brevis, short.]

Brevier, brev-ēr′, n. a small type between bourgeois and minion, originally used in printing breviaries.

Brevity, brev′it-i, n. shortness: conciseness. [L. brevitasbrevis, short.]

Brew, brōō, v.t. to prepare a liquor, as from malt and other materials: to contrive or plot.—v.i. to perform the operation of brewing ale or beer: to be gathering or forming.—ns. Brew′age, something brewed: mixed liquor; Brew′er, one who brews; Brew′ery, Brew′-house, a place for brewing; Brew′ing, the act of making liquor from malt: the quantity brewed at once; Brew′ster (now only Scot.), a brewer. [A.S. bréowan; cf. Ger. brauen.]

Briar. Same as Brier (1).

Briarean, brī-ā′re-an, adj. relating to Briareus, a hundred-handed giant: hence many-handed. [Gr.—briaros, strong.]

Briar-root. See Brier (2).