Find the word definition

The Collaborative International Dictionary
Laconical

Laconical \La*con"ic*al\, a. See Laconic, a.

Laconical

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.

    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.

Wiktionary
laconical

a. (archaic form of laconic English)

Usage examples of "laconical".

They have been beaten and spitted on so long they are the enemy, like the Laconical helots.