terse

UK /tɜːs/ US /tɝːs/
adj 3

Definitions

adj

1

Of speech or style: brief, concise, to the point.

In eight terse lines has Phædrus told / (So frugal were the Bards of old) / A Tale of Goats; and clos'd with grace / Plan, Moral, all, in that ſhort space.

Your last series contains some of the neatest, tersest, and most unpretendingly original criticism, I have lately met with.

2

Of manner or speech: abruptly or brusquely short; curt.

'Laura!' The voice halting her was terse. Brusque. She turned. [...] 'Before I go,' he said, and his voice was terse, tighter than ever. 'I want to ensure you understand something.'

My voice was terser than I intended, but what the hell. The night was turning out to be interesting in some ways and extremely frustrating in others.

3

Burnished, polished; fine, smooth; neat, spruce.

By Phœbus, here's a moſt neate fine ſtreete; is't not? I proteſt to thee, I am enamord of this ſtreete now, more then of halfe the ſtreetes of Rome, againe; tis ſo polite, and terſe; [...]

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