laconism

Also la·con·i·cism

[lak-uh-niz-uhm]

noun

1. laconic brevity.

2. a laconic utterance or sentence.

laconism

/ ləˈkɒnɪˌsɪzəm, ˈlækəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. economy of expression

2. a terse saying

Word History and Origins

Origin of laconism¹

1560–70; < Greek lakōnismós, noun answering to lakōnízein to favor or imitate the Spartans. See laconic, -ism

Example Sentences

And E. M. Cioran, on the virtues of economy and obliquity: “Is there a better sign of ‘civilization’ than laconism?

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The only time he abandoned his Trappist laconism was when Alba went to visit him in his tunnel of books.

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It was Spartan in some of its laconisms.

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You may, perhaps, imagine that laconism could no further go.

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Paling suddenly, Mr. Hildreth dropped his eyes and replied humbly, though with equal laconism, "I was thinking."

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Related Words

• blackout 
• calm 
• lull 
• peace 
• quiet 
• reticence 
• secrecy 
• stillness