noun
definition
An abrupt breaking-off in speech, often indicated in print using an ellipsis (…) or an em dash (—).
synonyms
noun
definition
Avoidance of saying or reluctance to say too much; discretion, tight-lippedness; an instance of acting in this manner.
synonyms
definition
A silent and reserved nature.
synonyms
definition
Followed by of: discretion or restraint in the use of something.
definition
Often followed by to: hesitancy or reluctance (to do something).
synonyms
verb
definition
To deliberately not listen or pay attention to; to disregard, to ignore.
synonyms
Examples of reticence in a Sentence
The queen was privately opposed to Gladstone's Home Rule policy; but she observed in public a constitutional reticence on the subject.
She paused, as if hesitating to confide, until her anger overcame her reticence.
She almost protested, but remembered this morning's reticence.
He has left us two detailed accounts of the proceedings of the council of St Basle; and, despite his reticence, it is impossible to doubt that he was the moving spirit in Arnulf's deposition.
Genuine psychics do need some give and take during the reading, but won't be put off by your reticence to reply.
Mr. Westlake, dressed in his usual dusty and patched attire, pressed Cynthia for the reason behind her unusual reticence.
He took her hand and they started down the stairs together, approaching the wolf with reticence.
Part of our difficulty lies in our natural reticence to discuss sexual matters.
Although written in the style of the historical books of the old Testament, the work is characterized by a religious reticence which avoids even the use of the divine name, and by the virtual absence of the Messianic hope.
Is there anything that could happen to overcome to overcome this reticence?
Turner showed no reticence in coming to the issue.
Indeed, Anglicanism has a natural inbuilt reticence to ' stealing ' from lower levels the decision-making responsibilities that are properly theirs.
As for my initial reticence, it's kind of a long story, but the reading really helped me sort out my feelings.
Which may explain a certain reticence on a number of points in the first edition of the book.
I never believed such reticence would last for long.
We look with envy at British reticence about religion.
The desire for information and the general reticence to fulfill that need has made a Freedom of Information Act absolutely essential.
To all seeming the pope had admitted the canonicity of several of the decrees of Constance - for instance, he had submitted to the necessity of the periodical convocation of other councils; but from his reticence on some points, as well as from his general attitude and some of his constitutions, it appeared that the whole of the decrees of Constance did not receive his unqualified approval, and without any definite pronouncement he made some reservations in the case of decrees which were detrimental to the rights and pre-eminence of the Holy See.
His adroitness, insinuating manners and medical skill overcame the habitual jealousy and reticence of the natives, and enabled him to elicit much valuable information.
The new materials from the Aragonese archives, published by Finke, give the same general impression of "uncanny" reticence on Philip's part; when other contemporary kings would have spoken he keeps silence, allowing his ministers to speak for him.
Why the reticence to remind Bush of the rationale for the war?
As for my initial reticence, it 's kind of a long story, but the reading really helped me sort out my feelings.
Alternatively, the null finding could reflect reticence on the part of the participants to talk about such matters.
That eternity was, to date, the longest five seconds of my life, during which my mind conjured up two possibilities for his reticence.
While he knew he'd have to speak to Corday sooner or later, he hoped to first learn the reason for his wife's reticence about discussing the ice park fall.
Often among artists groups and networks I have found a reticence about raising issues relating directly to members' work.
Since then I have thrown all reticence to the wind.
But in general the tales that passed current about the gods are referred to only in mysterious and recondite allusions; as Herodotus for his own times explicitly testifies, a reticence in such matters seems to have been encouraged by the priests.
Gabel, who veiled under a mysterious reticence considerable financial ability and uncommon shrewdness, had great influence over the irresolute king.
In comparatively new settlements, largely fed by immigration, the number of males is obviously likely to be greater than that of females, but in the case of countries in Asia and eastern Europe in which also a considerable deficiency of the latter sex is indicated by the returns, it is probable that the strict seclusion imposed by convention on women and the consequent reticence regarding them on the part of the householders answering the official inquiry tend towards a short count.
The literal sense of the term churinga, applied by the Central Australians to their sacred objects, and likewise used more abstractly to denote mystic power, as when a man is said to be " full of churinga," is " secret," and is symptomatic of the esotericism that is a striking mark of Australian, and indeed of all primitive, religion, with its insistence on initiation, its exclusion of women, and its strictly enforced reticence concerning traditional lore and proceedings.
He thought that a basis for reconciliation of Protestant and Catholic might be found in a common piety, combined with reticence upon discrepancies of doctrinal statement.