All 3 Uses of
reticent
in
Little Dorrit
- In short, Mr Blandois found that to pour port wine into the reticent Flintwinch was, not to open him but to shut him up.
Chpt 1.30 *reticent = reluctant -- usually to speak freely
- Not a whit less reticent and wooden was Mr Flintwinch outwardly, than in the usual course of things: the only perceptible difference in him being that the knot of cravat which was generally under his ear, had worked round to the back of his head: where it formed an ornamental appendage not unlike a bagwig, and gave him something of a courtly appearance.†
Chpt 2.10
- Next, Jeremiah Flintwinch, slowly backing to the door, with one hand in a pocket, and the other rubbing his chin, twisted himself out in his reticent way, speechlessly.†
Chpt 2.30
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.