brev

short

Spelled brev · brevis 'short'

Latin brevis meant short: a brief message uses little space; abbreviate shortens a word, while abridge shortens a whole account.

Words built from it

brevity — shortness of speech, writing, or duration
Latin brevis (short) → brevitas (shortness) → brevity
abridge — shorten a written work while keeping its main ideas
Latin ad- (to) + brevis (short) → abbreviare (shorten) → Old French abregier → abridge
abbreviate — make a word or phrase shorter
Latin ad- (to) + brevis (short) → abbreviare (shorten) → abbreviate
brief — lasting little time or using few words
Latin brevis (short) → Old French bref → brief
brevet — a military promotion granting rank without all its usual duties or pay
Latin breve (short document), from brevis (short) → French bref (document) + -et (small) → brevet
breviary — a book containing prescribed daily prayers and readings
Latin brevis (short) → breviarium (summary), later a book of daily church prayers → breviary