Laconical

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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.


        [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.
  
     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.
            [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Laconical \La*con"ic*al\, a.
     See {Laconic}, a.
     [1913 Webster]