Category:Breve

Breve, n. Etym: [It. & (in sense 2) LL. breve, fr. L. brevis short. See Brief.]

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 [&breve;] used commonly to indicate the short quantity of a vowel.

4. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The great ant thrush of Sumatra (Pitta gigas), which has a very short tail.