Both Uses of
reticent
in
Ethan Frome
- any question about her acquaintances brought forth a volume of detail; but on the subject of Ethan Frome I found her unexpectedly reticent.
Chpt Open *reticent = reluctant to speak freely
- As we turned into the Corbury road the snow began to fall again, cutting off our last glimpse of the house; and Frome's silence fell with it, letting down between us the old veil of reticence.†
Chpt Open
Definition:
-
(reticent) reluctant -- especially to speak freelyeditor's notes: Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice):
Consider using taciturn rather than reticent when the reluctance to speak is a general disposition rather than a short-term situation brought about by particular circumstance.