Terse Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

Literature

• Famous authors like Ernest Hemingway and Mark Twain are known for their terse writing style, conveying depth with minimal words.
• Terse language can create dramatic tension in plays, making every word count during pivotal moments.
• Many poets favor terseness, using brevity to evoke emotions and create imagery in as few lines as possible.

Communication

• In business settings, being terse can enhance clarity, ensuring that messages are easily understood without unnecessary elaboration.
• Conversational terseness is often perceived as confidence, as straightforward communication can be seen as assertive.
• Excessively terse communication may lead to misunderstandings if the receiver feels the speaker is being abrupt or unfriendly.

Psychology

• Studies show that terse communication can be interpreted as a sign of intelligence or expertise by others.
• In social interactions, concise language can sometimes reduce anxiety, as the speaker avoids over-explanation.
• People appreciate terseness in stressful conversation settings, where clarity is more crucial than elaboration.

Pop Culture

• Terse dialogue is a hallmark of popular TV shows like 'The Office' and 'Seinfeld', where humor often arises from brevity.
• In action movies, terse lines can enhance dramatic effect, as characters deliver impactful messages quickly.
• Internet culture favors terseness, with memes and tweets exemplifying the art of conveying messages in limited characters.

Main points about word origin

• The word comes from the Latin 'tersus', meaning 'polished' or 'clean', suggesting a message that is clear and neat.
• In English, it first appeared in the early 19th century, leading to a stylistic preference for concise communication.
• Its usage relates to 'terse' meaning both quick in form and sharp in tone, emphasizing efficiency in language.

The word 'terse' originated from the Latin word 'tersus' which means 'clean, neat'. Over time, it evolved to refer to something that is concise and to the point. The term has been used in English language since the 16th century.

Positioned at #20,056, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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• 20056 terse
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• 20058 uneventful
• 20059 corrupting
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