Terse
Adjective
Definition: Brief and to the point; effectively concise.
Synonyms: Concise, Succinct, Pithy
Antonyms: Verbose, Long-winded, Wordy
Examples:
- His speech was terse but impactful.
- The article provided a terse summary of the research findings.
Mnemonics:
- Think of someone speaking in short, curt sentences to get their point across quickly.
Etymology:
Origin:
Late 16th century, from Latin 'tersus' (wiped off, polished).
Historical Usage:The word has retained its meaning of being concise and polished throughout its history.
Related Idioms:
Idiom:
"Brevity is the soul of wit"
Explanation:This phrase, commonly attributed to William Shakespeare, emphasizes the effectiveness of concise and to-the-point communication.
Misconceptions:
Misconception:
Confusing 'terse' with being rude or unfriendly.
Explanation:While terse language may seem abrupt, it is mainly focused on conveying information succinctly rather than being impolite.