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Pithiest: meaning, definitions and examples

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pithiest

 

[ ˈpɪθ.i.əst ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

speech style

Pithiest refers to the quality of being concise and forcefully expressive in speech or writing. A pithiest statement conveys a maximum of meaning with brevity, often packing a punch or delivering insight in a few words. This term is often used to describe remarks that are impactful and memorable due to their succinct nature. In conversations, being pithiest can be an essential skill, especially in persuasive rhetoric or when trying to make a strong impression in limited time.

Synonyms

brief, concise, laconic, succinct, terse.

Examples of usage

  • He delivered the pithiest remarks during the debate.
  • Her pithiest quote was shared widely on social media.
  • The article was praised for its pithiest insights on global warming.
  • In business meetings, the pithiest presentations often win contracts.

Translations

Translations of the word "pithiest" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mais conciso

🇮🇳 सबसे संक्षिप्त

🇩🇪 der prägnanteste

🇮🇩 paling ringkas

🇺🇦 найлаконічніший

🇵🇱 najbardziej zwięzły

🇯🇵 最も簡潔な

🇫🇷 le plus concis

🇪🇸 el más conciso

🇹🇷 en özlü

🇰🇷 가장 간결한

🇸🇦 الأكثر إيجازًا

🇨🇿 nejvýstižnější

🇸🇰 najvýstižnejší

🇨🇳 最简洁的

🇸🇮 najbolj jedrnat

🇮🇸 hnyttugasti

🇰🇿 ең қысқа

🇬🇪 ყველაზე მოკლე

🇦🇿 ən qısa

🇲🇽 el más conciso

Etymology

The word 'pithy' originates from the Old English 'pið', which means 'the essential part of something', or 'core'. It was originally used to describe the central part of a plant stem, which is often rich with nutrients. Over time, the word evolved to signify something that is substantial yet expressed in a compact manner. By the early 17th century, its meaning expanded to encompass language that is significant and full of meaning while being brief. The comparative form 'pithier' and superlative 'pithiest' emerged to denote varying degrees of conciseness and expressiveness. This reflects a linguistic trend where adjectives evolve to describe varying degrees of their qualities, highlighting the importance of brevity in communication. The usage of 'pithy' in literary and rhetorical contexts has solidified its reputation as a descriptor for impactful language.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #42,885, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.