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。
I'd like to ask Mr. Dean to brief us on the situation. 现在由院长先生来简单介绍一下形势。
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”。
