Defn: A writ issuing from the chancery, directed to any judge ordinary, commanding and authorizing that judge to call a jury to inquire into the case, and upon their verdict to pronounce sentence.
6. A letter patent, from proper authority, authorizing a collection or charitable contribution of money in churches, for any public or private purpose. [Eng.] Apostolical brief, a letter of the pope written on fine parchment in modern characters, subscribed by the secretary of briefs, dated "a die Nativitatis," i. e., "from the day of the Nativity," and sealed with the ring of the fisherman. It differs from a bull, in its parchment, written character, date, and seal. See Bull. — Brief of title, an abstract or abridgment of all the deeds and other papers constituting the chain of title to any real estate. — In brief, in a few words; in short; briefly. "Open the matter in brief." Shak.
BRIEF
Brief, v. t.
Defn: To make an abstract or abridgment of; to shorten; as, to brief pleadings.
BRIEFLESS
Brief"less, a.
Defn: Having no brief; without clients; as, a briefless barrister.
BRIEFLY
Brief"ly, adv.
Defn: Concisely; in few words.
BRIEFMAN
Brief"man, n.
1. One who makes a brief.