Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
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.
c.1600, from Middle French réticence (16c.), from Latin reticentia “silence, a keeping silent,” from present participle stem of reticere “keep silent,” from re- (see re-), + tacere “be silent” (see tacit). “Not in common use until after 1830” [OED].