(law) A writ summoning one to answer to any action.
(law) An answer to any action.
(law) A memorandum of points of fact or of law for use in conducting a case.
(by extension, figurative) A position of interest or advocacy.
(law) An attorney's legal argument in written form for submission to a court.
(English law) The material relevant to a case, delivered by a solicitor to the barrister who tries the case.
A short news story or report.
(usually in the plural) undershorts briefs.
(obsolete) A summary, précis or epitome; an abridgement or abstract.
(Britain, historical) A letter patent, from proper authority, authorizing a collection or charitable contribution of money in churches, for any public or private purpose.