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tac·i·turn

(tăsĭ-tûrn′)

adj.

1. Habitually untalkative. See Synonyms at laconic.

2. Characterized by reserve or a lack of expression: "Beneath his taciturn exterior was an optimist" (Buzz Bissinger).

[French taciturne, from Old French, from Latin taciturnus, from tacitus, silent; see TACIT.]

tac′i·turni·ty (-tûrnĭ-tē) n.

taci·turn·ly adv.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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