brief /briːf/ CET4 TEM4 ( briefing, briefed, briefer, briefs, briefest )

• 1. 

  ADJ Something that is brief lasts for only a short time. 短暂的

  例：

  She once made a brief appearance on television.

  她曾在电视上短暂露面。

• 2. 

  ADJ A brief speech or piece of writing does not contain too many words or details. (讲话、文章) 简短的

  例：

  In a brief statement, he concentrated entirely on international affairs.

  在一个简短的陈述中,他完全集中在了国际事务上。

• 3. 

  ADJ If you are brief, you say what you want to say in as few words as possible. (说话) 简明扼要的 [v-link ADJ]

  例：

  Now please be brief – my time is valuable.

  现在请长话短说–我的时间很宝贵。

• 4. 

  ADJ You can describe a period of time as brief if you want to emphasize that it is very short. 短暂的 [强调]

  例：

  For a few brief minutes we forgot the anxiety and anguish.

  短短的几分钟,我们忘却了忧伤和痛苦。

• 5. 

  N-PLURAL Men's or women's underpants can be referred to as briefs. 短内裤 [also 'a pair of' N]

  例：

  A bra and a pair of briefs lay on the floor.

  一件胸罩和一条短内裤放在地板上。

• 6. 

  V-T If someone briefs you, especially about a piece of work or a serious matter, they give you information that you need before you do it or consider it. 介绍; 提供 (信息)

  例：

  A Defense Department spokesman briefed reporters.

  一位国防部发言人向记者们介绍了情况。

• 7. 

  N-COUNT A brief is a document containing all the information relating to a particular legal case, which is used by a lawyer to defend his or her client in court. 案情摘要

  例：

  Griffith's expertise is in writing legal briefs.

  格里菲思的专长在于撰写法律案情摘要。

• 8. 

  N-COUNT If someone gives you a brief, they officially give you responsibility and instructions for dealing with a particular thing. 职责 [英国英语] [正式]

  例：

  ...customs officials with a brief to stop foreign porn coming into Britain.

  …身担阻止外国淫秽物品进入英国的职责的海关管员们。

• 9. 

  → see also briefing

• 10. 

  PHRASE You can say in brief to indicate that you are about to say something in as few words as possible or to give a summary of what you have just said. 简言之

  例：

  In brief, take no risks.

  简言之,别冒险。