Laconic \luh-KON-ik\ , adjective;
1. Using or marked by the use of a minimum of words; brief and pithy; brusque
According to Etymonline.com:
The word dates back to the 1580's and meant "concise, abrupt". It derives from the Greek Lakonikos, meaning "person from Lakonia," which is the district around Sparta in southern Greece in ancient times. People from Lakonia were supposedly proud of their brevity. As an example, when Philip of Macedon threatened them with, "If I enter Laconia, I will raze Sparta to the ground." To which a Spartan replied, "If."
The Oxford English Dictionary reflects the same sentiments, so I'm going to be laconic and leave it at that.
*Today's word and the first definition were both taken from Dictionary.com's 'Word of the Day' for Monday, October 18
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