Definition of "short-spoken" [short•-spo•ken]

• Given to shortness or abruptness in manner or speech; curt. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Often it made him cross and short-spoken with her."
• "Though short-spoken, he could wax colorful when he wanted."
• "Into the stunned silence that followed this outburst from short-spoken, reticent Olive, there came a new voice; such a sweet, lovely voice with"