Both Uses of
brief
in
Emma
Uses with a very common or rare meaning:
- He was satisfied of there being no present danger in returning home, but no assurances could convince him that it was safe to stay; and while the others were variously urging and recommending, Mr. Knightley and Emma settled it in a few brief sentences: thus— "Your father will not be easy; why do not you go?"†
Chpt 1.15-16 *
- I had a few lines on parish business from Mr. Weston this morning, and at the end of them he gave me a brief account of what had happened.†
Chpt 3.13-14
Definition:
-
(meaning too common or rare to warrant focus) Brief is most commonly encountered as an adjective meaning "of short duration." Other meanings derive from the idea of short--as when making a long story short by summarizing it, or when wearing briefs (underwear).