breve
[ breev, brev ]
/ briv, brɛv /
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noun
a mark (˘) over a vowel to show that it is short, or to indicate a specific pronunciation, as ŭ in (kŭt) cut.
Law.
- an initial writ.
- a writ, as one issued by a court of law.
Music.
- the longest modern note, equivalent to two semibreves or whole notes.
- Also brevis. a note in medieval mensural notation equal to one-half or one-third of a longa.
Prosody. a mark (˘) over a syllable to show that it is not stressed.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!
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Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Origin of breve
Words nearby breve
Breuer chair, Breughel, breunnerite, Breus mole, brev., breve, brevet, brevi-, breviary, brevicaudate, brevicollis
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for breve
British Dictionary definitions for breve
breve
/ (briːv) /
noun
an accent, (˘), placed over a vowel to indicate that it is of short duration or is pronounced in a specified way
music a note, now rarely used, equivalent in time value to two semibreves
RC Church a less common word for brief (def. 7)
Word Origin for breve
C13: from Medieval Latin breve, from Latin brevis short; see brief
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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