adj.短暂的；短期的；简短的；扼要的
n.摘要；案件陈述
vt.作…的概述；（向…）简单介绍
There was a brief pause in the conversation. 对话中有短暂的停顿。
We have a tight schedule for your brief visit. I hope you don't mind. 对您短暂的访问,我们为您安排的日程很紧,希望您不介意。
In the beginning, the teacher gave us a brief introduction about the subject. 开始时,老师给我们做了关于这门课程的简短介绍。
I don't want to keep you long, so let me be brief. 我不想浪费大家的时间,就简明扼要地讲几句吧。
用作名词 (n.)He drew up a brief for his speech. 他起草了一份讲话的摘要。
The lawyers declared on a court brief that they will argue Mr. Brown's innocence by reason of insanity. 律师们在呈交法庭的辩护状上声明,他们将以神经错乱为由为布朗先生作无罪辩护。
用作及物动词 (vt.)The chairman will brief the Board on the most recent developments. 主席将向董事会概述最近的发展。
brief的基本意义是“短暂的”,含有“压缩”的味道。只用于时间而不用于距离。偶尔用于长度时多含有滑稽可笑的意味。
brief还可指内容“简洁的；简要的”。
