All 4 Uses of
reticent
in
Dracula
- 4 May—I found that my landlord had got a letter from the Count, directing him to secure the best place on the coach for me; but on making inquiries as to details he seemed somewhat reticent, and pretended that he could not understand my German.†
p. 10.5reticent = reluctant -- usually to speak freely
- All the morbid reticence seems to have passed from her, and she has just reminded me, as if I needed any reminding, of that night, and that it was here, on this very seat, I found her asleep.†
p. 108.3reticence = reluctance -- usually to speak freely
- You must not be angry with me, Art, because his very reticence means that all his brains are working for her good.†
p. 124.0
- she herself has become reticent on the subject, and has not spoken of the Count or his doings ever since we told her of our decision.
p. 280.0 *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.