Breve
Pronunciation : Breve
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [It. & (in sense 2) LL. breve, fr. L. brevis short. See Brief.]
Definition : 1. (Mus.)
Defn: A note or character of time, equivalent to two semibreves or four minims. When dotted, it is equal to three semibreves. It was formerly of a square figure (as thus: Moore.
2. (Law)
Defn: Any writ or precept under seal, issued out of any court.
3. (Print.)
Defn: A curved mark [?] used commonly to indicate the short quantity of a vowel.
4. (Zo?l.)
Defn: The great ant thrush of Sumatra (Pitta gigas), which has a very short tail.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913