Breviloquent
Part of speech: adjective
Definitions
- Characterized by the quality of expressing ideas succinctly and to the point, often with minimal words used
- Describing a speech or writing style that is concise while effectively conveying the intended message
- Pertaining to the ability to communicate with brevity and clarity, avoiding unnecessary elaboration
Etymology: Its surprise lies in its sibling. "Loquacious," meaning talkative, comes from the same Latin verb "loqui," "to speak," and so does "eloquent." "Breviloquent" joins that root to "brevis," "short," producing a word that describes speech kept to its essentials. English has long built formal adjectives this way, pairing a Latin stem with an ending like "-ent" or "-ous," so the word reads as a learned coinage rather than something spoken in everyday use. Its exact date and first user are uncertain, and it remains rare outside dictionaries and careful writing. The pattern is what makes it readable: anyone who knows "brief" and "eloquent" can work out its sense before looking it up.
Synonyms: concise, terse, succinct
Antonyms: verbose, wordy