La-cŏn'ic, a.
a. [Lat. Laconicus, from Laconia, the country of the Lacedemonians or Spartans (Lacones); Gr. Λακωνικός, Fr. laconique, It. & Sp. laconico.]
Sense 1. Pertaining to Lacedemonia, or to the Lacones, its inhabitants.
Sense 2. Expressing much in few words, after the manner of the Spartans; brief; concise.
Sense 3. Resembling the Lacones in sternness or severity; hence, cruel; severe; painful. [Obs.]
Synonyms—Short; brief; concise; succinct; sententious; pointed; pithy.—LACONIC, CONCISE. The term laconic is derived from the Lacones, or Spartans, who affected to give short, pithy answers. Laconic, then, implies few words. Concise implies only the necessary words. A work may be a long one, and yet the language be concise; a reply can not be long, and yet laconic. Laconic carries with it the idea of incivility or affectation; conciseness is liable to no such imputation, but may sometimes lead to obscurity through a want of more filling out. “I grow laconic even beyond laconicism.” Pope. “The concise style, which expresseth not enough, but leaves somewhat to be understood.” B. Jonson.