Breve

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. 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: Moore.

2. Any writ or precept under seal, issued out of any court.

3. A curved mark [˘] used commonly to indicate the short quantity of a vowel.

4. The great ant thrush of Sumatra (Pitta gigas), which has a very short tail.