All 3 Uses of
reticent
in
Great Expectations
- And the mere sight of the torment, with his fishy eyes and mouth open, his sandy hair inquisitively on end, and his waistcoat heaving with windy arithmetic, made me vicious in my reticence.†
p. 68.9reticence = reluctance -- usually to speak freely
- ...replying in his heavy reticent way,
p. 223.2 *reticent = reluctant
- Anything to equal the determined reticence of Mr. Jaggers under that roof I never saw elsewhere, even in him.†
p. 255.8reticence = reluctance -- usually to speak freely
Definition:
reluctant -- especially to speak freely
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.
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.