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Literary notes about Laconic (AI summary)

In literature, “laconic” is employed to denote a style of expression that is strikingly concise and direct, often imbuing a character’s speech or a narrative passage with a sense of understated, sometimes ironic, significance. Writers use it to highlight brief responses that, despite their scant wording, convey authority or reveal a character’s inner state—as when a terse remark implies distrust or determination [1], [2]. Similarly, a laconic comment can intensify the dramatic effect of a scene or underscore the character’s reserved nature, whether in delivering orders with relentless clarity [3] or evoking a cold, distant temperament [4]. This carefully measured economy of words not only shapes dialogue but also deepens our understanding of characters and situations across diverse literary contexts [5], [6], [7].
  1. “Because I never trust people travelling without baggage,” was the laconic reply.
    — from Frederick the Great and His Family: A Historical Novel by L. (Luise) Mühlbach
  2. The next day, October 26th, came this laconic answer: The cession must be of the whole archipelago or none.
    — from The American Occupation of the Philippines 1898-1912 by James H. Blount
  3. He surprised people further by his laconic, clear, and prompt orders, imperative to the last degree.
    — from Napoleon: A Sketch of His Life, Character, Struggles, and Achievements by Thomas E. (Thomas Edward) Watson
  4. Only he grew colder and colder; laconic at meals, and rare in the house.
    — from Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
  5. Considering the gravity of the occasion, I permit you to speak, my friend; but be laconic, I beg.
    — from The three musketeers by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet
  6. “It is sold, sir,” was again his laconic reply.
    — from Dracula by Bram Stoker
  7. A slight frown and a laconic “Yes,” were the answer.
    — from A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

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