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 license 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 40l. and of 10s. where it is 100l. &c.

BREVE de Repleo, is a writ of right or license 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 minims.