Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun In Scots law, a writ issuing from Chancery, directed to any judge ordinary, ordering trial to be made by a jury of certain points stated in the brieve.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • That minister had himself gone the length of petitioning the Scotch Privy Council for a birth-brieve, or certificate, to attest his descent from the Castlehill family, and the petition was refused through the influence of the Duke of Lauderdale.

    Life of Adam Smith Rae, John, 1845-1915 1895

  • The papers were fragmentary, consisting of parts of a Reclaiming Petition and some portion of a Proof that had been led in support of a brieve of service; but I got enough to enable me to give the story, which I shall do in such a connected manner as to take the reader along with me, I hope pleasantly, and without any inclination to choke upon the foresaid bones.

    Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume XXIII Alexander Leighton 1837

  • * mais sur tout ` a noircir par des infames calomnies la sainte et salutaire Doctrine, dont nous faisons profession, nous sommes obliges, pour desabuser l'esprit de ceux qui pourraient avoir este preoccupes de ces sinistres impressions, de faire une brieve

    The Creeds of the Evangelical Protestant Churches. 1889

  • And so, as it appeared, Mr. Dallas was of that opinion, for the very next day he applied to Chancery for a brieve to get Charles Napier served nearest and lawful heir to his uncle; and as in legal warfare, where the judges are cognisant only of patent claims, there is small room for retiring tactics, Mr. White felt himself obliged, however anxious he was to gain time, to follow his opponent's example by taking out a competing brieve in favour of Henrietta.

    Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume XXIII Alexander Leighton 1837

  • Il lev'a de voz gentes de la seint Michel la greigunure p'tie et navez ja p'sent officer a qi la people voille ore obeir p 'la doute de Godefrey, si vous voillez avancer sicome vous poez veer q' busugne est et p'dela mettez tiel remede come vouz verrez q 'bon s'ra, car les Engleis p'decea tiennent sa p'tie, et si ne feust l'esp'ance, q' iai de v're brieve venue Je vous envoiasse p'chemement aucune finance.

    A Chronicle of London from 1089 to 1483 Written in the Fifteenth Century, and for the First Time Printed from MSS. in the British Museum Anonymous 1823

  • ■ nhaa an alteration by auch ia provided ibr in the Treat; itMlf i irtikb, I brieve, is sametimed the case.

    The Debates and proceedings in the Congress of the United States 1789

Comments

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  • "Now used chiefly in the election of tutors to minors, the cognoscing of lunatics or idiots, and the ascertaining of widows' tierce."

    --from the Century Dictionary

    April 7, 2011

  • Worthy of a dedicated list.

    April 7, 2011

  • You are unbrieveably quick. Nice work!

    April 7, 2011