bref, popc's decree. Bref meant ibrmerly letters

patent ; then by extension a diploma, commission, licence granted by Government : in thèse valions acceptations bref bas been replaced by brevet (a diminutive from it), cr/. brevet de capacité = teacher's diploma ; brevet d'imprimeur = printer's licence. Bref is only used now, as in the above passage, in the sensé of a letter (cf. German Brief) to refer to the Pope's letters, sealed with Hhc Fisherman's ring,^ which must be applied in the Pope's own présence.