好词典

reticence

UK //ˈretɪsəns//US //ˈret̬ɪsəns//

词源

源自拉丁语 reticentia(沉默),由 re-(强调) + tacere(保持安静)构成,17世纪进入英语。

noun

❶ 指不愿多说话或表达想法的性格特质,表现为沉默寡言或刻意保留意见,常因谨慎、害羞或有所顾虑。

“Her reticence during the meeting made it hard to know her true opinion.”

(她在会议中的沉默使人难以了解她的真实想法。)

“He broke his usual reticence and shared the story of his childhood.”

(他打破了一贯的沉默,分享了自己童年的故事。)

同义词:reserve, taciturnity, uncommunicativeness

常见短语

with reticence — 描述以犹豫或勉强态度做某事,通常伴随明显的沉默或克制。

“She accepted the award with reticence, giving only a brief thank-you speech.”

(她勉强地接受了奖项,只做了简短的致谢发言。)