tersely
|ter/se/ly|
C1
🇺🇸
/ˈtɜrsli/
🇬🇧
/ˈtɜːsli/
(terse)
concise expression
Etymology
Etymology Information
'tersely' originates from the Latin word 'tersus,' which is the past participle of 'tergere,' meaning 'to wipe or polish.'
Historical Evolution
'tersus' transformed into the French word 'ters,' and eventually became the modern English word 'terse' through Middle English.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'polished or neat,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'concise and to the point.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adverb 1
in a brief and direct manner, often conveying annoyance or irritation.
She tersely replied to the email, leaving no room for further questions.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/17 21:21