what does laconically mean?

Answer 1

As several have noted, the simpler form is "laconic". "Laconically" is the adverbial form meaning (done/expressed) "in a laconic manner".

As for "laconic"

a) it does basically mean brief, terse, using few words

b) the emphasis of the word is NOT on sarcasm (though a laconic remark MAY be sarcastic, it need not be), but rather on being almost TOO brief... sometimes almost painfully sparing in words, perhaps leaving out some things (or ASSUMING them) that the hearer might wish were expressed more fully and clearly

Note the following explanation in a dictionary discussion of synonyms:
"Laconic denotes terseness or conciseness in expression, but when applied to people it often implies an unwillingness to use words"
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/silent

c) the story about "Lacon" must be made up. There was no such ruler. The word comes from a Greek PLACE name (not a person)

d) the President famous for his brevity, and the subject of many humorous stories on that account, including the one related in another answer is NOT Wilson, but Calvin Coolidge. (the wikipedia entry was mistaken, and is now corrrected)

Answer 2

Laconically means terse and somewhat sarcastic. The word comes from the story in ancient Greece when Lacon, the ruler of a small city-state was threatened by a much more powerful neighbor. The agressor sent a message to Lacon that said in essence that if he conquered Lacon's city he would kill every person and not leave one stone atop another. Lacon sent back his answer: "If."

Answer 3

laconically

In a terse manner, given to using few words.
Woodrow Wilson was so laconic that when a long winded dinner companion said "I bet I can get you to say three words," he replied "you lose."

Answer 4

la·con·ic(l-knk)
adj.
Using or marked by the use of few words; terse or concise. See Synonyms at silent.

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[Latin Lacnicus, Spartan, from Greek Laknikos, from Lakn, a Spartan (from the reputation of the Spartans for brevity of speech).]

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la·coni·cal·ly adv.
Word History: The study of the classics allows one to understand the history of the term laconic, which comes to us via Latin from Greek Laknikos. The English word is first recorded in 1583 with the sense "of or relating to Laconia or its inhabitants." Laknikos is derived from Lakn, "a Laconian, a person from Lacedaemon," the name for the region of Greece of which Sparta was the capital. The Spartans, noted for being warlike and disciplined, were also known for the brevity of their speech, and it is this quality that English writers still denote by the use of the adjective laconic, which is first found in this sense in 1589.

Answer 5

a person who doesn't say much is laconic.

Answer 6

Using very few words.

Answer 7

briefly but adequately