adj.
Pronunciation: k ə n- ' s ī s
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin concisus, from past participle of concidere to cut up, from com- + caedere to cut, strike
Date: circa 1590
: marked by brevity of expression or statement : free from all elaboration and superfluous detail <a concise summary> <a concise definition>
– con · cise · ly adverb
– con · cise · ness noun
synonyms CONCISE , TERSE , SUCCINCT , LACONIC , SUMMARY , PITHY , COMPENDIOUS mean very brief in statement or expression. CONCISE suggests the removal of all that is superfluous or elaborative <a concise description>. TERSE implies pointed conciseness <a terse reply>. SUCCINCT implies the greatest possible compression <a succinct letter of resignation>. LACONIC implies brevity to the point of seeming rude, indifferent, or mysterious <an aloof and laconic stranger>. SUMMARY suggests the statement of main points with no elaboration or explanation <a summary listing of the year's main events>. PITHY adds to SUCCINCT or TERSE the implication of richness of meaning or substance <a comedy sharpened by pithy one-liners>. COMPENDIOUS applies to what is at once full in scope and brief and concise in treatment <a compendious dictionary>.