{ La*con"ic (?), La*con"ic*al (?), } a. [L. Laconicus Laconian, Gr. &?;&?;, fr. &?;&?; 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; 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.

His sense was strong and his style laconic.

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.

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.

La*con"ic, n. Laconism. [Obs.] Addison.

• using as few words as possible; terse and concise