| 释义 |
laconic, a. and n.|ləˈkɒnɪk|
Also 6 -ike, 7 -ique, 7–8 -ick.
[ad. Gr. λακωνικ-ός (L. Lacōnic-us), f. λάκων Laconian. Cf. F. laconique.]
A. adj.
1. (With capital initial.) Of or pertaining to Laconia or its inhabitants, made or written in Laconia; Lacedæmonian, Spartan. Now rare.
1583Exec. for Treason Pref. (1675) A iij, Plutarch often quotes the Delphick and Laconick Commentaries. 1601Holland Pliny II. 613 There be many other Emerauds..taken forth of the mountain Taygetus in Laconia, and those therefore be named Laconick. a1683Sidney Disc. Govt. iii. vi. (1704) 251 This was not peculiar to the severe Laconic Disciplin. 1807Robinson Archæol. Græca ii. i. 131 The River Eurotas, which runs into the Laconic Gulf. 1850Chubb 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.
1787J. 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.
1589Jas. VI in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. i. III. 28 To excuis me for this my laconike writting I ame in suche haist. a1625Beaum. & Fl. Little Fr. Lawyer v. i, If thou wilt needs know..I will discover it..with laconic brevity. 1667E. Chamberlayne St. Gt. Brit. i. Introd. (1684) 6 Brevity and a Laconick stile is aimed at all along. 1668Davenant Man's Master ii. 1. Wks. 1874 V. 32 This laconic fool makes brevity ridiculous. 1736Pope Let. Swift 17 Aug., Wks. 1871 VII. 345, I grow laconic even beyond laconicism. 1800E. Hervey Mourtray Fam. I. 149 This cold laconic note..let down all Emma's hopes. 1833H. Martineau Berkeley Banker i. ii. 29 ‘None but friends, I see’, said the laconic Mr. Williams. 1850Kingsley Alt. Locke xxix. (1879) 311 That..laconic dignity, which is the good side of the English peasants' character. 1888A. K. Green Behind Closed Doors iii, ‘Trust me’ was his laconic rejoinder.
B. n. (The adj. used absolutely.)
†1. A laconic speaker. Obs.
1628J. 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. 1692L'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.
1718Addison Let. to Swift in Swift's Lett. II. 540 Shall we never again talk together in laconic? 1871E. F. Burn Ad Fidem xvi. 341 A man's hand writes startling laconics on the wall.
†3. = laconicum. Obs.
1715Leoni Palladio's Archit. (1742) II. 55 Laconic, the Sweating Room in the Palestræ. |