Definition of: taciturn

(tas′ə·tûrn) adjective
Habitually silent or reserved; disinclined to conversation. [<L taciturnus <L tacere be silent]
—tac′i·tur′·ni·ty noun
—tac′i·turn·ly adverb Synonyms: close, dumb, mute, reserved, reticent, silent, uncommunicative. Dumb, mute, and silent refer to fact or state; taciturn refers to habit and disposition. The talkative person may be stricken dumb with terror; the obstinate may remain mute; one may be silent through preoccupation or set purpose; but the taciturn person is averse to the utterance of thought or feeling and to communication with others. One who is silent does not speak at all; one who is taciturn speaks when compelled, but in a grudging way. Reserved suggests more of method and intention than taciturn, applying often to some special time or topic. Reserved is thus closely equivalent to uncommunicative, but is a somewhat stronger word, often suggesting pride or haughtiness, as when we say one is reserved toward strangers. Antonyms: communicative, free, garrulous, loquacious, talkative, unreserved.