Breve
Breve (brēv) , noun
[Italian & (in sense 2) Late Latin breve, from Latin brevis short. See Brief.]
1.
(Music) 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: {not transcribed} ), but is now made oval, with a line perpendicular to the staff on each of its sides; -- formerly much used for choir service. — Moore
2.
(Law) Any writ or precept under seal, issued out of any court.
3.
(Printing) A curved mark [b] used commonly to indicate the short quantity of a vowel.
4.
(Zoology) The great ant thrush of Sumatra (Pitta gigas), which has a very short tail.