brief (both senses were common Eliz.)
1.
letter,
dispatch
1H4 IV. iv. 1
“this sealed
brief.”
2.
short account,
summary, abstract
MND. V. i. 42
“There is a brief how
many sports are ripe,”
All'sW. V. iii. 137
“a sweet verbal
brief,”
Ant. V. ii. 137
“a brief of money,
plate, and jewels”
; fig. John II. i. 103.
