1Of short duration.

总统对莫斯科作了短暂的工作访问。

1. 1.1 Concise in expression; using few words.
   简洁的，简明的
   introductions were brief and polite

   介绍简洁而又礼貌。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • A few brief words about the move to Skaggerak in 1902.
   • They can send simple and brief messages like that but there's no easy way to communicate with a submarine.
   • It covers ten areas, besides a brief foreword and a crisp introduction.
   • The information is brief and concise, and gives the reader a general overview of the various organ systems.
   • Whenever we passed on the street we exchanged brief words but that had been it.
   • The minister had a brief word with the American team leader and left without eating or drinking anything.
   • This essay also showcases MacDonald's ability to capture the essence of a piece of music in a few brief words.
   • He firmly gripped the hilt of his long sword and shouted brief words of refusal.
   • With a brief word from his chauffeur, they were allowed admittance.
   • During this brief exchange of words, Klauss had ventured over to the crumpled picture and unfurled it.
   • Intervention messages should contain simple and brief information and avoid complexity.
   • A brief interchange of words resulted in the unanimous decision to escape as soon as possible.
   • She had hoped her brief explosion in words would have ceased his badgering.
   • A brief word, though, about Ms. Young, whom I'd never heard of before.
   • Once Heather saw that her mission had been accomplished, she sauntered over to Chez and spoke a few brief words.
   • She delivered the message in a few brief words, then put down the phone.
   • He seemed to sense this and gave her a hug whispering brief words of comfort to her.
   • Before moving on to a discussion of Mexicans in Aurora, a brief word is in order about sources.
   • I didn't get out of my chair right away, her brief words deeply troubled me.
   • She offered polite, brief responses and laughed right along.
   • He vaguely heard a brief exchange of words between Yulia and Jana.

   Synonyms

   concise, succinct, short, thumbnail, to the point, pithy, incisive, short and sweet, crisp, abridged, condensed, compressed, abbreviated, compact, compendious, potted
2. 1.2 (of a piece of clothing) not covering much of the body; scanty.
   （衣着）短的，短而暴露的
   Alice sported a pair of extremely brief black shorts

   艾里森惹人注目地穿着黑色超短裤。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Mosquito bites line the insides of my legs only stopping at the brief cloth on my lower body that some would call shorts.
   • A cheerful female gorilla garbed in a brief shirt and a halter top stood at a podium.
   • The room Tripitaka entered contained about 30 women, all dressed in very brief clothing.
   • God, how she wished she were wearing something more than her brief underwear.

   Synonyms

   skimpy, scanty, revealing, short

1A concise statement or summary.

1. 1.1 A set of instructions given to a person about a job or task.
   〈主英〉指令，权责训令
   his brief is to turn around the country's economy

   他下令改变这个郡的命运。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • This retained a lot of the edginess that you might associate with the band whilst adding the elements that was required from the original brief.
   • It doesn't matter how good your brief and debrief are if you haven't got airplanes to fight with.
   • He felt that the brief was too abstract.
   • Adam brought his ten-year-old son to him, with a brief to knock the boy's piano technique into shape.
   • What four areas should be covered in the task definition section of a creative brief?
   • In the interests of simplicity and keeping things as open as possible, it has been decided to go for an open brief with only a few key guidelines.
   • Design is accomplishing the task, according to the brief, to the customer's satisfaction.
   • Once we get a brief from a client there is a research stage and a brainstorming session.
   • Without any brief or instruction, the man had made his home in a clearing and even cultivated a small potato crop.
   • Chief executives of government authorities often complain that they are not given an unambiguous brief with clear mandates and a single objective.
   • What we all hoped - and actually, it was all part of the brief - that it would be political.
   • He stayed with the company until 1994, where his experiences bled into the brief behind Theatre Absolute.
   • It had to widen its brief to embrace purchasing and information technology as well.
   • When we receive a brief from a casting director, we go through our book of models and put forward who we think is suitable for the job.
   • Most of what you get from your clients in a creative brief is akin to stereo instructions in terms of dramatic impact and sheer volume.
   • Over the past year anyone with a brief to invest in, say, small companies or commodities would have naturally outperformed.
   • After receiving an informative brief on the testing process given by the warrant officer, the staff were counted.
   • But surely he can't be a currently serving, if he abuses his brief so widely?
   • The brief was to produce something that could be turned into a tattoo - something with not too much fine detail.
   • After the brief, we dash to complete one more task before strapping on the jet.

   Synonyms

   instructions, directions, directives, briefing
2. 1.2US A written summary of the facts and legal points supporting one side of a case, for presentation to a court.
   〔律〕（供出庭律师用的）案情摘要，诉讼要点
   Example sentencesExamples

   • The office also writes amicus briefs applying psychological research to legal issues.
   • The brief set forth the argument in six concise points.
   • He also helps to write legal briefs for other inmates.
   • We're taught how to write case briefs, memorandums, appellate briefs, and case citations.
   • These are briefs in support of deportation orders, decidedly not a traditional civil rights function.
   • It is noted that neither he nor the plaintiffs ever requested copies of the briefs or reports in writing or otherwise.
   • The briefs on the other side of the case were written exclusively by major media companies, congressmen, and copyright holders.
   • To what extent is it appropriate for judges to ‘borrow’ language from one side's brief?
   • He presents legal briefs on violations of environmental law to the authorities.
   • APA has filed an amicus brief in support of the policy.
   • Nineteen states have joined in an amicus brief supporting Kansas.
   • And fifteen other states evidently agreed - filing amicus briefs in support of Alabama's position.
   • Heavy amicus curiae briefs are filed in support of both upholding and reversing the Circuit Court's decision.
   • The Association has issued a number of legal briefs to support the civil rights of individuals.
   • The three groups in the brief sided with the British during World War II.
   • He didn't just file a brief; he helped write one with the Center for Law and Justice.
   • The team put together mountains of legal briefs to support the argument that Texas had no right to control the private conduct of its citizens.
   • Counsel for the plaintiff shall make brief written submissions in reply and on costs within 10 days after that.
   • The court have received these submissions as ‘friend of the court briefs,’ supporting one side or the other.
   • Skills like writing a brief, conducting a deposition, or arguing in court are useful by-products.
3. 1.3 A letter from the Pope to a person or community on a matter of discipline.
   教皇通谕，教廷通牒
   Example sentencesExamples

   • He has delivered a papal brief recommending it to that prince that he will take the same steps in this matter.
   • He discovered that the agreement, far from being in accordance with the papal Brief, was in direct opposition to it.
   • For a papal brief to be valid, it has to be read in the presence of those whom it concerns.
   • In 1773, following the expulsion of Jesuits from several European and Italian states, Clement XIV issued a brief suppressing the order.

Instruct or inform (someone) thoroughly, especially in preparation for a task.

她向他介绍了上周决定的基本情况。