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 use of paying 6s. 8d. fine to the king in suit, for money due on bond, where the debt is L.40, and of 10 s. where it is L.100, &c.

BREVE de Refto, 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.