Tuesday, September 18, 2018

word meaning - Is brief a contranym?


Why brief as a verb means to give information thoroughly and even as a noun it means a legal document, given to a barrister, containing all the information about a case but as an adjective it means containing few words?


There's a document called brief, given to a barrister, which is not at all brief. It's concise and detailed. Then why do they call it a brief?


Even as a verb it means to give an information thoroughly, then how brief as an adjective means short?



If I'm asked in exam to answer a question in brief. Which perspective am I going to use? Brief as an answer solely or brief according to that particular topic which is asked? Now the size of a brief answer can be subjective. To me, a brief answer can be a paragraph. To the other person, it could be one or two more paragraphs but with accordance to the topic, it will always be objective (depend on individual topic).




No comments:

Post a Comment

Simple past, Present perfect Past perfect

Can you tell me which form of the following sentences is the correct one please? Imagine two friends discussing the gym... I was in a good s...