laconic

{ } a. [ L. Laconicus Laconian, Gr. &unr_;&unr_;, fr. &unr_;&unr_; a Laconian, Lacedæmonian, or Spartan: cf. F. laconique. ] 1. Expressing much in few words, after the manner of the Laconians or Spartans; brief and pithy; concise; brusque; epigrammatic. In this sense laconic is the usual form. [ 1913 Webster ]

I grow laconic even beyond laconicism; for sometimes I return only yes, or no, to questionary or petitionary epistles of half a yard long. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

His sense was strong and his style laconic. Welwood. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Laconian; characteristic of, or like, the Spartans; hence, stern or severe; cruel; unflinching. [ 1913 Webster ]

His head had now felt the razor, his back the rod; all that laconical discipline pleased him well. Bp. Hall.

Syn. -- Short; brief; concise; succinct; sententious; pointed; pithy. -- Laconic, Concise. Concise means without irrelevant or superfluous matter; it is the opposite of diffuse. Laconic means concise with the additional quality of pithiness, sometimes of brusqueness. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Laconism. [ Obs. ] Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. See Laconic, a. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a laconic manner. [ 1913 Webster ]