Briefest: meaning, definitions and examples
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briefest
[ ˈbrifɪst ]
shortest duration
The term 'briefest' is the superlative form of the adjective 'brief', which means something that lasts for a very short time. It is used to describe the shortest duration of an event, statement, or period of time. The briefest of moments can sometimes contain significant meaning or information, despite their fleeting nature. Being the briefest implies that no other instance can compare in terms of brevity.
Synonyms
least lengthy, most concise, shortest.
Examples of usage
- She delivered the briefest speech of the night.
- In the briefest of encounters, they exchanged a knowing look.
- He provided the briefest overview of the project.
Translations
Translations of the word "briefest" in other languages:
🇵🇹 mais breve
🇮🇳 सबसे संक्षिप्त
🇩🇪 am kürzesten
🇮🇩 paling singkat
🇺🇦 найкоротший
🇵🇱 najkrótszy
🇯🇵 最も短い
🇫🇷 le plus bref
🇪🇸 el más breve
🇹🇷 en kısa
🇰🇷 가장 짧은
🇸🇦 الأقصر
🇨🇿 nejkratší
🇸🇰 najkratší
🇨🇳 最简短的
🇸🇮 najkrajši
🇮🇸 styst
🇰🇿 ең қысқа
🇬🇪 ყველაზე მოკლე
🇦🇿 ən qısa
🇲🇽 el más breve
Etymology
The word 'brief' comes from the Latin 'brevis', which means 'short' or 'small'. The superlative form 'briefest' follows common patterns in English for forming superlatives by adding '-est' to adjectives. The usage of 'brief' in English can be traced back to the 15th century, where it was used to convey the notion of something being short in duration or extent. Over the years, 'brief' has also come to apply in various contexts, such as legal terminology, summarizing information, and everyday communication to emphasize the importance of being concise. The evolution of 'brief' mirrors the growing value placed on efficiency and clarity, especially in the age of information overload.