Both Uses of
reticent
in
The Return of the Native
- Her normal manner among the heathfolk had that reticence which results from the consciousness of superior communicative power.
Chpt 1 *reticence = reluctance to speak freely
- There was a little more reticence now than formerly in Thomasin's manner towards her cousin.†
Chpt 4
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.