I.to shorten, abbreviate, abridge, βραχύνω brevio, Gloss. Vet. (post-Aug.; cf. Burm. Anth. Lat. 1, p. 76; most freq. in Quint.); Manil. 3, 461; 6, 431: “breviare quaedam,” Quint. 1, 9, 2: “aliquid callide,” id. 5, 13, 41 Spald. N. cr.: “prolixa (in scribendo),” Lact. Epit. 8, 6; Sev. Sulp. Hist. Sacr. 1, 1: “breviatae horae,” Paul. Nol. Carm. Nat. S. Fel. 24, 9, 13: “umerorum raro decens allevatio atque contractio est. Breviatur enim cervix,” Quint. 11, 3, 83: “non breviatis augustatisque gradibus ascenditur,” Sid. Ep. 2, 2.—
II. Transf.: “Syllabam,” to pronounce short, Quint. 12, 10, 57.