taciturn
[ tas-i-turn ]
/ ˈtæs ɪˌtɜrn /
adjective
inclined to silence; reserved in speech; reluctant to join in conversation.
dour, stern, and silent in expression and manner.
RELATED CONTENT
RELATED WORDS
reticent, aloof, dour, laconic, antisocial, close, cold, curt, distant, dumb, mum, mute, quiet, reserved, sententious, silent, sparing, speechless, tight-lipped, withdrawn
Nearby words
tachysterol, tachytelic, tacit, tacitean, tacitly, taciturn, taciturnity, tacitus, tack, tack claw, tack hammer
Origin of taciturn
1765–75; < Latin taciturnus, quiet, maintaining silence, equivalent to tacit(us) silent (see tacit) + -urnus adj. suffix of time
SYNONYMS FOR taciturn
Related formstac·i·turn·ly, adverbun·tac·i·turn, adjectiveun·tac·i·turn·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for taciturn
British Dictionary definitions for taciturn
taciturn
/ (ˈtæsɪˌtɜːn) /
adjective
habitually silent, reserved, or uncommunicative; not inclined to conversation
Derived Formstaciturnity, nountaciturnly, adverb
Word Origin for taciturn
C18: from Latin taciturnus, from tacitus silent, from tacēre to be silent
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for taciturn
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper