n.; pl. Breviaries [ F. bréviarie, L. breviarium summary, abridgment, neut. noun fr. breviarius abridged, fr. brevis short. See Brief, and cf. Brevier. ] 1. An abridgment; a compend; an epitome; a brief account or summary. [ 1913 Webster ]

A book entitled the abridgment or breviary of those roots that are to be cut up or gathered. Holland. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A book containing the daily public or canonical prayers of the Roman Catholic or of the Greek Church for the seven canonical hours, namely, matins and lauds, the first, third, sixth, and ninth hours, vespers, and compline; -- distinguished from the missal. [ 1913 Webster ]