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terse

adjective
 
 
/tɜːs/ US  /tɝːs/

Definition

using few words, sometimes in a way that seems rude or unfriendly: "Are you feeling any better?" "No!" was the terse reply.Blunt and direct in speech and behaviourNot saying muchNot being friendlyNot saying muchBlunt and direct in speech and behaviourNot being friendlyDigressing and being indirect or evasive tersely
 
 
/ˈtɜːs.li/ US  /ˈtɝː-/ adverb
Blunt and direct in speech and behaviourNot saying muchNot being friendlyNot saying muchBlunt and direct in speech and behaviourNot being friendlyDigressing and being indirect or evasive
terseness
 
 
/ˈtɜːs.nəs/ US  /ˈtɝː-/ noun [U]
Blunt and direct in speech and behaviourNot saying muchNot being friendlyNot saying muchBlunt and direct in speech and behaviourNot being friendlyDigressing and being indirect or evasive
(Definition of terse adjective from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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