Laconic -- Jack

Laconic la·con·ic (l-knk) adj. Using or marked by the use of few words; terse or concise. See Synonyms at silent. [Latin Lacnicus, Spartan, from Greek Laknikos, from Lakn, a Spartan (from the reputation of the Spartans for brevity of speech).] 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.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

 

Though Jack is no Spartan warrior, he is both disciplined and laconic.

Desultory -- Sam

Desultory des·ul·to·ry (dsl-tôr, -tr, dz-) adj. 1. Having no set plan; haphazard or random. See Synonyms at chance. 2. Moving or jumping from one thing to another; disconnected: a desultory speech. [Latin dsultrius, leaping, from dsultor, a leaper, from dsultus, past participle of dsilre, to leap down : d-, de- + salre, to jump; see sel- in Indo-European roots.] desul·tori·ly adv. desul·tori·ness n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

 

A good tennis player, like a good speaker, does not have a desultory match; therefore, Sam has a strategy for each match.

anhedonia -- Willie

an·he·do·ni·a (nh-dn-) n. The absence of pleasure or the ability to experience it. [New Latin anhdonia : Greek an-, without; see a-1 + Greek hdon, pleasure; see swd- in Indo-European roots.] anhe·donic (-dnk) adj.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

 

Willie, who is joyful, might cure a person of anhedonia.

officious -- Hayden

of·fi·cious (-fshs) adj. 1. Marked by excessive eagerness in offering unwanted services or advice to others: an officious host; officious attention. 2. Informal; unofficial. 3. Archaic Eager to render services or help others. [Latin officisus, obliging, dutiful, from officium, duty; see office.] of·ficious·ly adv. of·ficious·ness n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

 

I suspect that Hayden will be a good host like his parents when he grows up: helpful but not officious.