[f. prec. adj. used subst., like the L. neuter breviātum.]
1. A short account, brief statement; a summary, abridgement, compendium.
1581. J. Bell, Haddon’s Answ. Osor., 226. A Breviate of all Luthers doctrine.
1650. Fuller, Pisgah, 431. What we read in Saint Luke was onely the breviate, sum, and abridgement of his Sermon.
1709. Hearne, Coll., 10 Dec. (1886), II. 324. Begs H. to send mere breviates of his materials.
1862. P. B. Power (title), Breviates: or Short Texts and their Teachings.
1865. Reader, No. 143. 341/1. A breviate of the chronicles.
b. fig.
1695. Tryon, Dreams & Vis., xi. 209. God made him [man] … a breviate of the nature of all things divine and humane.
c. Comb., as breviate-maker.
1611. Cotgr., Extrayeur de proces, a reporter, or Abridger, of Cases; a breuiate-maker.
† 2. A brief missive or dispatch; a note. Obs.
1602. Warner, Alb. Eng., XII. lxxv. (1612), 312. His Tablet sent she, and there with this breuiat by a Page.
1676. Bullokar, Breviate, a brief note, little or short writing.
1748. Richardson, Clarissa (1811), VIII. xxii. 98. I send … for particulars of the fatal breviate thou sentest him this night.
† 3. A lawyer’s brief. Obs.
1594. Zepheria, xx. in Arb., Garner, V. 75. How often hath my pen (mine hearts Solicitor!) Instructed thee in Breviat of my case!
1664. Butler, Hud., II. II. 612. As well-fee’d Lawyer on his Breviate.
a. 1734. North, Lives (1826), I. 192. He could over night … admit his clients … and … was then prepared, next day, to peruse his breviate.
4. ? The daily portion to be read in the breviary.
1813. Hogg, Queen’s Wake, 164. Wearied with the eternal strain Of formal breviats, cold and vain.
