Dictionary entry

Brevity

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Brev″i‐ty (�), n.; pl.Brevities (�). [L. brevitas, fr. brevis short: cf. F. brièvité. See Brief.] 1. Shortness of duration; briefness of time; as, the brevity of human life.

2. Contraction into few words; conciseness.

Brevity is the soul of wit.

Shak.

This argument is stated by St. John with his usual elegant brevity and simplicity.

Bp. Porteus.

Syn. — Shortness; conciseness; succinctness; terseness.