Both Uses of
reticent
in
In Cold Blood
- Thus, the girls were no longer always together, and Nancy deeply felt the daytime absence of her friend, the one person with whom she need be neither brave nor reticent.†
Chpt 1reticent = reluctant -- usually to speak freely
- a sensitive and reticent boy
Chpt 1 *reticent = reluctant to speak
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.