briefless

American  

[breef-lis] / ˈbrif lɪs /

adjective

1. having no brief.

2. having no clients, as a lawyer.

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briefless British  

/ ˈbriːflɪs /

adjective

1. (said of a barrister) without clients

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Other Word Forms

• brieflessly adverb
• brieflessness noun

Etymology

Origin of briefless

1815–25; brief (noun) + -less

Example Sentences

After a brief and briefless stab at the law in Manhattan, his Transcript record got him a job with Edward Bok for a spirited, 18-month campaign against quack patent medicines in the Ladies' Home Journal.

From Time Magazine Archive

A. Certainly not; but a well-feed Q.C. is more than a match for a briefless Counsel whose professional sustenance is "soup."

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 104, April 15, 1893 by Burnand, F. C. (Francis Cowley), Sir

Before by a lucky speech he was pitchforked into the Corps Législatif, he was a briefless lawyer, who used to talk very loudly and with vast emphasis at the Café de Madrid.

From Diary of the Besieged Resident in Paris by Labouchere, Henry

His selection as Liberal Candidate was a blow to us: we had hoped for nothing worse than a briefless carpet-bagger from the Temple, as on previous occasions.

From The Right Stuff Some Episodes in the Career of a North Briton by Hay, Ian

They were chiefly composed of briefless but brilliant young barristers, fiery journalists, and hot-headed students.

From The Canadian Portrait Gallery - Volumes 1 to 4 by Dent, John Charles