laconism

[ 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?

From The New Yorker

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

From Literature

It was Spartan in some of its laconisms.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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