All 4 Uses of
taciturn
in
Nicholas Nickleby
- The kind-hearted gentleman omitted to add that Newman Noggs, being utterly destitute, served him for rather less than the usual wages of a boy of thirteen; and likewise failed to mention in his hasty chronicle, that his eccentric taciturnity rendered him an especially valuable person in a place where much business was done, of which it was desirable no mention should be made out of doors.†
Chpt 2
- 'Well,' replied Newman, with his accustomed taciturnity; 'both well.'†
Chpt 15 *
- …daunted by this repulse, Nicholas returned to the charge next day, emboldened by the circumstance of Mr Linkinwater being in a very talkative and communicative mood; but, directly he resumed the theme, Tim relapsed into a state of most provoking taciturnity, and from answering in monosyllables, came to returning no answers at all, save such as were to be inferred from several grave nods and shrugs, which only served to whet that appetite for intelligence in Nicholas, which had already…†
Chpt 40
- Newman, who in power of taciturnity was excelled by few people, made no attempt to break silence; and so they went on, until they had very nearly reached Miss Morleena's home, when Mr Lillyvick said: 'Were the Kenwigses very much overpowered, Mr Noggs, by that news?'†
Chpt 52
Definition:
-
(taciturn) with a tendency to be reserved and not to talkeditor's notes: Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice):
Consider using reticent rather than taciturn when the reluctance to talk is brought on by a particular situation rather than being a general disposition.