reticent
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ret·i·cent

adjective \ˈre-tə-sənt\

Definition of RETICENT

1
: inclined to be silent or uncommunicative in speech : reserved
2
: restrained in expression, presentation, or appearance <the room has an aspect of reticent dignity — A. N. Whitehead>
3
ret·i·cent·ly adverb

Examples of RETICENT

  1. <the panel decided to investigate the fraud charges against the company, which has always been reticent about its internal operations>
  2. <her husband is by nature a reticent person, and she resigned herself to that fact long ago>
  3. … his friends and associates are conspicuously reticent to discuss him in public. —Martin Flanagan, Manchester Guardian Weekly, 29 Dec. 1991

Origin of RETICENT

Latin reticent-, reticens, present participle of reticēre to keep silent, from re- + tacēre to be silent — more at tacit
First Known Use: circa 1834

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