| brief | 1. A short concise writing or letter; a statement in few words. "Bear this sealed brief, With winged hastle, to the lord marshal." (Shak) "And she told me In a sweet, verbal brief." (Shak) 2. An epitome. "Each woman is a brief of womankind." (Overbury) 3. An abridgment or concise statement of a client's case, made out for the instruction of counsel in a trial at law. This word is applied also to a statement of the heads or points of a law argument. "It was not without some reference to it that I perused many a brief." (Sir J. Stephen) In England, the brief is prepared by the attorney; in the United States, counsel generally make up their own briefs. 4. A writ; a breve. See Breve. 5. A writ issuing from the chancery, directed to any judge ordinary, commanding and authorising that judge to call a jury to inquire into the case, and upon their verdict to pronounce sentence. 6. A letter patent, from proper authority, authorising a collection or charitable contribution of money in churches, for any public or private purpose. Apostolical brief, a letter of the pope written on fine parchment in modern characters, subscribed by the secretary of briefs, dated "a die Nativitatis," i. E, "from the day of the Nativity," and sealed with the ring of the fisherman. It differs from a bull, in its parchment, written character, date, and seal. See Bull. Brief of title, an abstract or abridgment of all the deeds and other papers constituting the chain of title to any real estate. In brief, in a few words; in short; briefly. "Open the matter in brief." See: Brief, and cf. Breve. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| brief psychiatric rating scale | A scale comprising 18 symptom constructs chosen to represent relatively independent dimensions of manifest psychopathology. The initial intended use was to provide more efficient assessment of treatment response in clinical psychopharmacology research; however, the scale was readily adapted to other uses. (12 Dec 1998) |
| brief psychotherapy | Any form of psychotherapy or counseling designed to produce emotional or behavioural therapeutic change within a minimal amount of time (generally not more than 20 sessions). Brief therapy is usually active and directive; it is more clearly indicated when there are clearly defined symptoms or problems, and where the goals are limited and specific. (05 Mar 2000) |
| brief reactive psychosis | <psychiatry> A brief display of psychotic behaviour that lasts for at least several hours, but not more than one week. Typically these reactions are brought on by periods of increased stress (for example death of a loved one). Symptoms include delusions, hallucinations, disordered thinking, impaired speech and bizarre dress. (27 Sep 1997) |
| psychotherapy, brief | Any form of psychotherapy designed to produce therapeutic change within a minimal amount of time, generally not more than 20 sessions. (12 Dec 1998) |
| legal brief | A detailed statement of the points of a client's case in a trial at law, giving the legal arguments, main content of a case, supporting statements, evidence, prior decisions, etc. (12 Dec 1998) |
| Bayley Scales of Infant Development | A psychological test used to measure the developmental progress of infants over the first two and one-half years of life; consists of three scales: mental, motor, and behaviour record. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bone development | Gross development of bones from foetus to adult. It includes osteogenesis, which is restricted to formation and development of bone from the undifferentiated cells of the germ layers of the embryo. It does not include osseointegration. (12 Dec 1998) |
| maxillofacial development | The process of growth and differentiation of the jaws and face. (12 Dec 1998) |
| child development | The continuous sequential physiological and psychological maturing of the child from birth up to but not including adolescence. It includes healthy responses to situations, but does not include growth in stature or size (= growth). (12 Dec 1998) |
| child development disorders, pervasive | Severe distortions in the development of many basic psychological functions that are not normal for any stage in development. These distortions are manifested in sustained social impairment, speech abnormalities, and peculiar motor movements. (12 Dec 1998) |
| personality development | Growth of habitual patterns of behaviour in childhood and adolescence. (12 Dec 1998) |
| growth and embryonic development | Developmental processes from cell division to embryogenesis to postnatal growth and maturity. (12 Dec 1998) |
| pervasive development disorder | <neurology, psychiatry> A large group of developmental disabilities which are neurological disorders, usually of unknown cause. Characteristics include reduced abilities to understand language and communicate normally, reduced ability to socially interact with others in a normal manner, and limited variety in activities and interests. Individuals will also often respond in unusual ways to sensations, engage in repetitive activities, and resist changes to the environment or to daily routines. Types of pervasive development disorder include autism, Retts Syndrome, Hellers Syndrome, and Aspergers Syndrome. Acronym: PDD (12 Jan 1998) |
| consensus development conference | Designation for summary statements representing the majority and current agreement of physicians, scientists, and other professionals meeting to reach a consensus on a selected subject. (12 Dec 1998) |