telegraphic

2 definitions found

telegraphic - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Telegraphic \Tel`e*graph"ic\, a. [Cf. F. t['e]l['e]graphique.]
     1. Of or pertaining to the telegraph; made or communicated by
        a telegraph; as, telegraphic signals; telegraphic art;
        telegraphic intelligence.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Having only the essential information; brief; concise;
        terse; -- of communications, by analogy with the style of
        telegrams, which are short to avoid unnecessary expense.
  
     Note: a telegraphic communication should have enough
           information to allow comprehension of the content,
           though it may leave out normally included words. If so
           much is left out that the communication becomes
           difficult or impossible to understand, it may be called
           cryptic. "Sighted sub. Sank same." is a telegraphic
           message.
           [PJC]

telegraphic - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  telegraphic
      adj 1: of or relating to or transmitted by telegraph; "a
             telegraphic machine"; "telegraphic news reports"
      2: having the style of a telegram with many short words left
         out; "telegraphic economy of words"; "the strange telegraphic
         speech of some aphasics"