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briefcase

briefcase

217 2.0
A flat case with a handle for carrying papers or a laptop
  • noun
  • /ˈbrifˌkeɪs/
translation icon : maletín
  • He carried his briefcase to the meeting, filled with important documents.
  • carry a briefcase
  • open a briefcase
  • briefcase contains documents

And so you're faced with briefcase with cash in it.

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Examples

  • There's a woman there with a briefcase and a handbag, wearing a coat, looking over.

  • Now he takes his manuscript, carefully opens the briefcase, and gently puts the manuscript inside.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Go to the ladies' room, leaving your briefcase here.

  • I opened my briefcase on the passenger seat just so they could see.

  • You want me to take your briefcase?

  • Give her back the briefcase.

  • "A lawyer with his briefcase can steal more than a hundred men with guns."

    Academic text (1993)
  • So, what's in the briefcase, doctor?

  • Dodgson sat down next to him and placed the briefcase on the floor between them.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • "Mr. Shevvington asked me to bring him his briefcase," she said, slowing her pace.

    Fiction book (1990)

Synonyms

portfolio
vsbriefcase
9 4.5

A large flat case for carrying papers or drawings

is usually smaller and sturdier for everyday business document transport
attache
vsbriefcase
2 7.7

A shallow rectangular case for carrying documents

is deeper and used more broadly for business items beyond papers
attache case
vsbriefcase
2 3.6

A flat rectangular bag with a hard frame for carrying papers

is the general business document case without a rigid frame

Compounds

7.6

An explosive hidden in a briefcase that can be made to explode later

7.9

A small suitcase that opens to show a screen and keyboard used as a portable computer

How Formal

attache case
2 3.6
briefcase
217 2.0
satchel
28 2.5
backpack
204 1.0

Surface Forms

briefcase singular
briefcases plural

Morphology

briefcase = brief + case (semi-transparent) = brief + case

The components 'brief' and 'case' are clear, but the specific meaning of a case for carrying documents is metaphorical.

Etymology

Briefcase comes from the words brief (a 'short' or 'legal paper') and case (a 'container' or 'box'), so it originally meant a 'case for papers'. That's why today it is a flat, rectangular bag for carrying important documents.