[ adj ] brief and to the point; effectively cut short <adj.all> a crisp retorta response so curt as to be almost rude the laconic reply; `yes' short and terse and easy to understand
Laconic \La*con"ic\, n. Laconism. [Obs.] --Addison.
Laconic \La*con"ic\, Laconical \La*con"ic*al\, a. [L. Laconicus Laconian, Gr. ??, fr. ?? a Laconian, Laced[ae]monian, 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.
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.
His sense was strong and his style laconic. --Welwood.
2. Laconian; characteristic of, or like, the Spartans; hence, stern or severe; cruel; unflinching.
His head had now felt the razor, his back the rod; all that laconical discipline pleased him well. --Bp. Hall.
Usage: {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.
But Britain's claim to authorship of the principle drew a laconic response.
The first is a standard Western, complete with elegiac vistas of blood-red sunsets, free-swinging bar-room brawls, good-hearted whores and laconic heroes with droopy moustaches.
MR STEVE Miller, the investment banker in charge of Olympia & York's negotiations with its 100 bank creditors, is famous-ly laconic.
In contrast to Petty's laconic wit and sprightly songs, the Smithereens' music is denser and darker.
Just never got started," explains Roy Murray, a laconic 70-year-old in Big Smith overalls.