terser

Adjective

terse (comparative terser, superlative tersest)

1. (broadly) 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.1777, [George Riley], The Asses Ears, a Fable. Addressed to the Author of The Goat's Beard [William Whitehead], London: Printed for G. Riley, […], →OCLC; quoted in “Art. VIII. Asses Ears: A Fable....

   Synonyms:

   concise, succinct, brief, crisp, laconic, lapidary, short-winded, tight, to the point, taut

   Antonyms:

   prolix, verbose, wordy, circumlocutory, diffuse, periphrastic, palaverous, pleonastic, rigmarole, sesquipedalian

2. (broadly) 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.'2008, Julia James, The Italian's Rags-to-riches Wife (Bedded by … Blackmail; Harlequin Presents; 2716), Toronto, Ont.; New York, N.Y.: Harlequin, →ISBN, page 107

   Synonyms:

   abrupt, brusque, mardy, short-spoken

3. (obsolete) 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; [...]1601, Ben Jonson, Poetaster or The Arraignment: […], London: […] [R. Bradock] for M[atthew] L[ownes] […], published 1602, →OCLC, Act III