taciturnity

[tas-i-tur-ni-tee]

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noun

the state or quality of being reserved or reticent in conversation.

Scots Law. the relinquishing of a legal right through an unduly long delay, as by the silence of the creditor.

Origin of taciturnity

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin taciturnitās, equivalent to taciturn(us) taciturn + -itās -ity

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for taciturnity

Historical Examples of taciturnity

Their taciturnity and irrisibility however, are confined to their sober hours.
Chronicles of Border Warfare
Alexander Scott Withers
Razumov's taciturnity only excited her to a quicker, more voluble utterance.
Under Western Eyes
Joseph Conrad
They greeted me with their usual friendliness, but I could not help noticing their taciturnity.
Under Western Eyes
Joseph Conrad
Colonel Feraud's taciturnity was the outcome of concentrated rage.
A Set of Six
Joseph Conrad
His taciturnity was as eloquent as the repeated warning of the slave of the feast.
The Rescue
Joseph Conrad

Word Origin and History for taciturnity

mid-15c., from Middle French taciturnité, from Latin taciturnitatem (nominative taciturnitas) "a being or keeping silent," from taciturnus "disposed to be silent," from tacitus "silent" (see tacit).