briefcase
- 01 B1 Intermediate
a flat case with a handle, used for carrying papers and documents to work.
a flat, rectangular container with a handle, designed for transporting documents and professional materials.
Simple“He packed his laptop and the new contracts into his leather briefcase before the meeting.”
In context“The attorney arrived at the courthouse clutching a battered leather briefcase that appeared to be overflowing with legal transcripts and evidence folders.”
Synonymsattache caseportfolio - 02 C2 Proficiency
a special folder on older Windows computers that helped keep files the same on two different devices.
a legacy utility in Microsoft Windows designed to facilitate file synchronization between a desktop and a portable computer.
Simple“In older versions of Windows, you could use the Briefcase to sync files between your PC and a floppy disk.”
In context“Before cloud storage became ubiquitous, the Briefcase provided a rudimentary method for users to synchronize document versions across multiple workstations.”
UsageUsually capitalized when referring to the specific software feature.
Teacher's tipThis sense is largely obsolete in modern computing; students are unlikely to encounter it outside of legacy system documentation.
Synonymssync folder
From brief + case.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.