Part 1391

<hw>Bri"dle</hw>, <tt>v. i.</tt> <def>To hold up the head, and draw in the chin, as an expression of pride, scorn, or resentment; to assume a lofty manner; -- usually with <i>up</i>.</def> "His <i>bridling</i> neck."

<i>Wordsworth.</i>

<blockquote>By her <b>bridling</b> up I perceived she expected to be treated hereafter not as Jenny Distaff, but Mrs. Tranquillus. <i>Tatler.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Bridle iron</h1> <Xpage=181>

<hw>Bri"dle i`ron</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>. <fld>(Arch.)</fld> <def>A strong flat bar of iron, so bent as to support, as in a stirrup, one end of a floor timber, etc., where no sufficient bearing can be had; -- called also <altname>stirrup</altname> and <altname>hanger</altname>.</def>

<h1>Bridler</h1> <Xpage=181>

<hw>Bri"dler</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>One who bridles; one who restrains and governs, as with a bridle.</def>

<i>Milton.</i>

<h1>Bridoon</h1> <Xpage=181>

<hw>Bri*doon"</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[F. <ets>bridon</ets>, from <ets>bride</ets>; of German origin. See <er>Bridle</er>, <tt>n.</tt>]</ety> <fld>(Mil.)</fld> <def>The snaffle and rein of a military bridle, which acts independently of the bit, at the pleasure of the rider. It is used in connection with a curb bit, which has its own rein.</def>

<i>Campbell.</i>

<h1>Brief</h1> <Xpage=181>

<hw>Brief</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[OE. <ets>bref</ets>, F. <ets>brief</ets>, <ets>bref</ets>, fr. L. <ets>brevis</ets>; akin to Gr. <?/ short, and perh. to Skr. <ets>barh</ets> to tear. Cf. <er>Breve</er>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>Short in duration.</def>

<blockquote>How <b>brief</b> the life of man. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Concise; terse; succinct.</def>

<blockquote>The <b>brief</b> style is that which expresseth much in little. <i>B. Jonson.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>Rife; common; prevalent.</def> <mark>[Prov. Eng.]</mark>

<cs><col>In brief</col>. <cd>See under <er>Brief</er>, <tt>n.</tt></cd></cs>

<syn>Syn. -- Short; concise; succinct; summary; compendious; condensed; terse; curt; transistory; short-lived.</syn>

<h1>Brief</h1> <Xpage=181>

<hw>Brief</hw>, <tt>adv.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <def>Briefly.</def> <mark>[Obs. or Poetic]</mark>

<blockquote>Adam, faltering long, thus answered <b>brief</b>. <i>Milton.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Soon; quickly.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Shak.</i>

<h1>Brief</h1> <Xpage=181>

<hw>Brief</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[See <er>Brief</er>, <tt>a.</tt>, and cf. <er>Breve</er>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>A short concise writing or letter; a statement in few words.</def>

<blockquote>Bear this sealed <b>brief</b>, With winged hastle, to the lord marshal. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>And she told me In a sweet, verbal <b>brief</b>. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>