1. 短暂的，短时间的　 short in time
2. 简洁的，简短的　 in as few words as possible

　～ hope　暂时的希望
　～ letter of thanks　简短的感谢信
　～ note　便条
　～ resume　简历

　She had time to give a brief report.　她有时间做一个简短的报告。
　There was a brief pause in the conversation.　对话中有短暂的停顿。
　She wears a brief skirt.　她穿着一件短裙。
　Life is brief.　人生短暂。
　Time is limited, please be brief.　时间有限，请讲得简洁些。
　He's brief of speech.　他的话简短扼要。
　You were very brief with him just now.　你刚才对他太生硬。
　He made his speech as brief as possible.　他使他的发言尽可能简短。

 ♣ in brief
　简言之　in a few words; without details
　In brief, it has been an exciting day.　总之，这一天过得很带劲。
 ♣ to be brief
　简言之　in a few words; without details
　To be brief, he was happy with the result.　简言之，他对这个结果感到高兴。

 ♣ brief, short
　参见short条。

C 概要，摘要 a short spoken or written statement

　draw up a ～　草拟诉讼要点
　file a ～　提出诉讼要点，提出辩护
　hold no ～ for　不为…辩护，不主张
　in ～　简言之，以简单扼要的形式

　To begin with, I'd like to tell in brief the importance of the work.　首先，我想简要谈谈这项工作的重要性。
　The new minister's brief is to insure that the water supply is improved.　新部长指示要确定改进供水状况。

　vt.　向…介绍基本情况，作…的摘要 give a lawyer some work to do for oneself by giving him the information which he may need

　～ sb about　向某人介绍，向某人作简报
　～ sb on　向某人介绍，向某人作简报

　She briefed me on the case.　她向我简要说明了这个案子。
　He briefed her on her job.　他对她的工作作了必要的指点。
　President was briefed by his advisers before the interview.　总统在接受采访前得到顾问们的资讯。
　He was fully briefed on the problem before the meeting.　他在会前已掌握了这个问题的详尽资料。

　［同义词］ adj. short, terse, concise n. outline, summary v. inform
　［反义词］ adj. comprehensive, extensive
　［词源］中古英语bref（短）