reticence

[ ret-uh-suh ns ]
/ ˈrɛt ə səns /

noun

the state of being reticent, or reserved, especially with regard to speaking freely; restraint: His natural reticence seemed to disappear under the influence of alcohol.
Sometimes ret·i·cen·cy.

OTHER WORDS FROM reticence

non·ret·i·cence, noun

Words nearby reticence

retest, rethink, rethondes, retiarius, retiary, reticence, reticent, reticle, reticul-, reticular, reticular activating system

Definition for reticency (2 of 2)

reticent
[ ret-uh-suhnt ]
/ ˈrɛt ə sənt /

adjective

disposed to be silent or not to speak freely; reserved.
reluctant or restrained.

Origin of reticent

1825–35; < Latin reticent- (stem of reticēns), present participle of reticēre to be silent, equivalent to re- re- + -tic-, combining form of tacēre to be silent (cf. tacit) + -ent- -ent

SYNONYMS FOR reticent

1 taciturn, quiet, uncommunicative.

ANTONYMS FOR reticent

1 talkative, voluble.

OTHER WORDS FROM reticent

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH reticent

reluctant reticent (see synonym study at reluctant) reticent reluctant

Example sentences from the Web for reticency

British Dictionary definitions for reticency

reticent
/ (ˈrɛtɪsənt) /

adjective

not open or communicative; not saying all that one knows; taciturn; reserved

Derived forms of reticent

reticence, noun reticently, adverb

Word Origin for reticent

C19: from Latin reticēre to keep silent, from re- + tacēre to be silent