briefing, vbl. n.
(ˈbriːfɪŋ)
[f. brief v.2 + -ing1.]
1. The action of writing briefs. Also attrib., as in briefing-post, a sort of paper used for briefs.
| 1865 Le Fanu Guy Dev. II. xx. 211 The paper, with its bluish briefing-post pages, and broad margin. 1869 Daily News 14 Aug., [Medical men] who..certify excellent briefing injuries for the use of the plaintiff's advocate. |
2. The action of giving information or instructions relating to a particular situation; information of this kind. Also attrib.
Applied esp., in the war of 1939–45 and since, to pre-flight conferences.
| 1910 H. Belloc Pongo & Bull ix. 133 The House'll be full... You don't want Eddie to give you any briefing, do you? 1940 Times 22 Aug. 5/6 Everything is ready for the ‘briefing’ which forms an indispensable part of every bombing raid. 1942 Penguin New Writing XIII. 27 His name, and the names of his crew, were quietly erased from the blackboard in the briefing-room. 1942 T. Rattigan Flare Path i. 113 Take-off 22.00. Briefing 19.45. 1942 R. Storrs in E. Kennington Drawing the R.A.F. 31 The precise but detached tones of the Briefing Officer. 1949 ‘J. Tey’ Brat Farrar vi. 47 It had been a wonderful briefing. For a whole fortnight..they had..rehearsed..the lie of a land he had never seen. |