a. and sb. Also 6 -ike, 7 -ique, 7–8 -ick. [ad. Gr. Λακωνικ-ός (L. Lacōnic-us), f. Λάκων Laconian, Cf. F. laconique.]
A. adj.
1. Of or pertaining to Laconia or its inhabitants, made or written in Laconia; Lacedæmonian, Spartan. Now rare.
1583. Exec. for Treason, Pref. (1675), A iij. Plutarch often quotes the Delphick and Laconick Commentaries.
1601. Holland, Pliny, II. 613. There be many other Emerauds … taken forth of the mountain Taygetus in Laconia, and those therefore be named Laconick.
a. 1683. Sidney, Disc. Govt., III. vi. (1704), 251. This was not peculiar to the severe Laconic Disciplin.
1807. Robinson, Archæol. Græca, II. i. 131. The River Eurotas, which runs into the Laconic Gulf.
1850. Chubb, Locks & Keys, 5. The Laconic keys consisted of three single teeth, in the figure of the letter E. [Cf. clavem laconicam, Plaut. Most.]
b. Characteristic of the Laconians; Spartan-like.
1787. J. Adams, Def. Constit. Govt., Pref., Wks. 1851, IV. 287. The latest revolution that we read of, was conducted … in the Grecian style, with laconic energy.
2. Following the Laconian manner, esp. in speech and writing; brief, concise, sententious. Of persons: Affecting a brief style of speech.
1589. Jas. VI., in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. I. III. 28. To excuis me for this my laconike writting I ame in suche haist.
a. 1625. Beaum. & Fl., Little Fr. Lawyer, V. i. If thou wilt needs know … I will discover it … with laconic brevity.
1667. E. Chamberlayne, St. Gt. Brit., I. Introd. (1684), 6. Brevity and a Laconick stile is aimed at all along.
1668. Davenant, Man’s Master, II. I. Wks. 1874, V. 32. This laconic fool makes brevity ridiculous.
1736. Pope, Let. Swift, 17 Aug., Wks. 1871, VII. 345. I grow laconic even beyond laconicism.
1800. Mrs. Hervey, Mourtray Fam., I. 149. This cold laconic note … let down all Emma’s hopes.
1833. Ht. Martineau, Berkeley the Banker, I. ii. 29. ‘None but friends, I see,’ said the laconic Mr. Williams.
1850. Kingsley, Alt. Locke, xxix. (1879), 311. That … laconic dignity, which is the good side of the English peasants’ character.
1888. Anna K. Green, Behind Closed Doors, iii. ‘Trust me’ was his laconic rejoinder.
B. sb. (The adj. used absolutely.)
† 1. A laconic speaker. Obs.
1678. J. Gaule, Pract. Theor. Paneg., 22. The most compendious Laconicke with a reinserted Parenthesis of (vt tribus dicam verbis) amongst many words, will promise to dispatch in Three.
1692. R. L’Estrange, Fables, ccccxcii. 467. It was the Ill hap of a Learned Laconique, to make use of Three Words, when two would have done … his business hardly.
2. Laconic or concise speech. pl. Brief or concise sentences.
1718. Addison, Lett. to Swift, in Swift’s Lett., II. 540. Shall we never again talk together in laconic?
1871. E. F. Burr, Ad Fidem, xvi. 341. A man’s hand writes startling laconics on the wall.
† 3. = LACONICUM Obs.
1715. Leoni, Palladio’s Archit. (1742), II. 55. Laconic, the Sweating Room in the Palestræ.
