1. (used in the plural) short tight-fitting underpants
   "He preferred wearing briefs rather than boxers";
   - Jockey shorts

1. A condensed written summary or abstract
   "The lawyer prepared a brief outlining the main arguments of the case"
    
2. (law) a document stating the facts and points of law of a client's case
   "The attorney spent the weekend preparing a legal brief for the upcoming trial";
   - legal brief
    
3. The topic that a person, committee, or piece of research is expected to deal with or has authority to deal with
   "they set up a group with a brief to suggest ways for strengthening family life";
   - remit [Brit], responsibility

1. Give essential information to someone
   "The reporters were briefed about the President's plan to invade"

Type of: abstract, apprise, chuddies [UK, dialect], instruct, instrument, issue, legal document, legal instrument, matter, official document, outline, pants [Brit], précis, rundown, subject, synopsis, topic, underdacks [Austral], underdaks [Austral], underpants, undershorts [N. Amer]

Encyclopedia: Briefs