Make Your Point > Archived Issues > RETICENT

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connect today's word to others: Our word reticent comes from a Latin verb meaning "to keep silent," which is why it looks a little like the words tacit and taciturn. Let's review those two words. They both basically mean "silent." But would you call a person tacit or taciturn? And would you call an agreement tacit or taciturn? make your point with... "RETICENT" Reticent people (and things) are quiet and secretive, and don't share their own thoughts or feelings. "Reticent" can also mean "unwilling, hesitant, or reluctant," as in, "She's reticent to sign up for that class." Even though people have used that meaning in print since 1875, and even though that meaning is recognized by dictionaries, many educated English speakers insist that it's wrong. For that reason, I recommend avoiding it. Let's use "reticent" to mean only "unwilling to speak, hesitant to share thoughts or feelings." Pronunciation: RED ih sent Part of speech: Adjective. (Adjectives are describing words, like "large" or "late." They can be used in two ways: 1. Right before a noun, as in "a reticent approach" or "a reticent person." 2. After a linking verb, as in "It was reticent" or "He was reticent.") Other forms: reticence/reticency, reticently How to use it: Talk about reticent people. (They might be reticent by nature, or reticent in only certain situations.) Or, talk about people's reticent moods, attitudes, approaches, personalities and so on. You can also say that someone is reticent on or about a certain topic. examples: In her younger days, she was too polite, and too reticent, to voice her complaints. "Breaking with a history of reticence, nearly 600 scientists, students, and lab animal workers published a letter in USA Today this morning that calls on U.S. research institutions to 'embrace openness' about their animal research."    —Meredith Wadman, Science Magazine, 20 June 2018 study it now: Look away from the screen to define "reticent" without saying "restrained" or "tight-lipped." try it out: Fill in the blanks: "(Someone) was reticent when asked about _____; (a particular reason)." Example: "He was reticent when asked about his work; it's no longer fulfilling, and he's even thinking of leaving the field." before you review: Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. This month, we're playing "Sleek Slogans." I'll take a familiar slogan from a company or a product, express that slogan in plain language, and tell you the specific qualities the slogan has (like rhyme or alliteration), and then you come up with the real slogan as well as the name of the company or product. From the previous issue: Rewrite this slogan by using rhyme, concision (the use of as few words as possible), and parallelism (the use of balanced clauses or phrases): "Order food from us, and we'll make it according to your preferences, quickly." Answer: That's a slogan for Burger King: "Your way, right away."  Try this one today: Rewrite this slogan by using slang, rhyme, and parallelism (the use of balanced clauses or phrases): "Even if you treat our watches roughly, they keep working." review today's word: 1. One opposite of RETICENT is A. BEAMISH. B. KINETIC. C. VOLUBLE. 2. Reticently, they _____. A. build their hive, softening the wax and shaping it into cells B. turn away from the documentarist, ignoring his questions C. haggle on and on, eventually settling on a price  Answers are below. a final word: Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each weekday morning by Liesl Johnson, a reading and writing tutor on a mission to explore, illuminate, and celebrate words. From Liesl's blog:    36 ways to study words.    Why we forget words, & how to remember them.    How to use sophisticated words without being awkward. To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact me at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: When I write definitions, I use plain language and stick to the words' common, useful applications. If you're interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words, I encourage you to check a dictionary. Also, because I'm American, I stick to American English when I share words' meanings, usage, and pronunciations; these elements sometimes vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. C 2. B