breve

/briːv/
noun
  1. A curved mark (˘) placed over a vowel to show that it is a short sound.
    • In the dictionary, the word 'căt' is written with a breve over the 'a'.
    • She added a breve above the 'e' in 'pĕn' to show the correct pronunciation.
    • The teacher explained that a breve indicates a short vowel sound.
  2. A note in music equal to two whole notes (rare in modern music).
    • The choir held the final note for a full breve.
    • In medieval music, a breve was a common note value.
    • The composer wrote a breve at the end of the slow movement.
  3. A written message from the Pope or a high church official.
    • The papal breve was read aloud in the cathedral.
    • The bishop received a breve from the Vatican.
    • Historians studied the breve to understand the church's decision.
What does "breve" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean