The Only Use of
reticent
in
Washington Black
- I suppose there must have been a deep love between him and his father, a love I could get no sense for because of its reticence.†
p. 193.8reticence = reluctance -- usually to speak freely
Definitions:
-
(1)
(reticent) reluctant -- especially to speak freelySynonym 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. -
(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus