in law, is any writ directed to the chancellor, judges, sheriffs, or other officers, whereby a person is summoned, or attached, to answer in the king's court, &c.

BREVE perquirere, the purchasing of a writ or licence for trial in the king's courts; whence comes the present usage of paying 6s. 8d. fine to the king in lieu, for money due on bond, where the debt is 40l. and of 10s. where it is 100l. &c.

BREVET de retto is a writ of right, or licence, for a person ejected, to sue for the possession of the estate detained from him.

in music, a note or character of time, in the form of a diamond or square, without any tail, and equivalent to two measures or minimi.