[ad. Gr. λακωνισμός, f. λακωνίζειν to LACONIZE. Cf. F. laconisme.]
1. Partiality for the Lacedæmonians; the practice of favoring the Lacedæmonian interest. rare.
1655. Stanley, Hist. Philos., III. (1701), 118/2. Xenophon … was banished for Laconism, upon his going to Agesilaus.
1869. A. W. Ward, trans. Curtius’ Hist. Greece, II. III. ii. 375. ‘Laconism’ was with increasing plain-spokenness designated as treason against the national interests of Athens.
2. The habit or practice of imitating the Lacedæmonian manners, esp. in brevity of speech.
1570. Levins, Manip., 146. Laconisme, laconismus.
1607. Walkington, Opt. Glass, 31. I doe here passe the limits of laconisme.
1669. Gale, Crt. Gentiles, I. III. x. 109. Is not Laconisme, or a short stile, provided it be ful and evident, best?
1697. J. Collier, Ess., II. 120. And as the Language of the Face is universal, so ’tis very comprehensive. No Laconism can reach it.
1791–1823. D’Israeli, Cur. Lit. (1866), 205/1. This spiritual laconism invigorated the arm of men.
1836. Blackw. Mag., XL. 484. There is a good tone of laconism hit off in that dialogue.
1858. Julia Kavanagh, Adèle, I. i. 6. His will was brief to laconism.
b. A laconic speech; a short and pithy sentence.
1682. Sir T. Browne, Chr. Mor. (1756), 35. The hand of Providence writes often by abbreviatures … which like the Laconism on the wall, are not to be made out but by a hint or key.
1791–1823. D’Israeli, Cur. Lit. (1866), 393/1. The ‘laconisms’ of the Lacedæmonians evidently partook of the proverbial style.
1838. D. Jerrold, Men Charac., Chr. Snub, iii. Wks. 1864, III. 426. The highway laconism of ‘your money or your life.’
