Crossword Genius

Drink to queen is more brief (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

shorter

'more brief' is the definition.
('short' can be a synonym of 'brief')

'drink to queen' is the wordplay.
'drink' becomes 'short'.
'to queen' becomes 'er' (abbreviation for Elizabeth Regina).
'short'+'er'='SHORTER'

'is' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for shorter that I've seen before include "More limited in duration" , "With less length" , "Not as long" , "Brusquer" , "Lower in stature" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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