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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Breve \Breve\ (br[=e]v), n. [It. & (in sense 2) LL. breve, fr.
L. brevis short. See {Brief}.]
1. (Mus.) A note or character of time, equivalent to two
semibreves or four minims. When dotted, it is equal to
three semibreves. It was formerly of a square figure (as
thus: ? ), but is now made oval, with a line perpendicular
to the staff on each of its sides; -- formerly much used
for choir service. --Moore.
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2. (Law) Any writ or precept under seal, issued out of any
court.
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3. (Print.) A curved mark [[breve]] used commonly to indicate
the short quantity of a vowel.
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4. (Zool.) The great ant thrush of Sumatra ({Pitta gigas}),
which has a very short tail.
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