ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷əd.ē, -ətē, -i noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English taciturnite, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French taciturnité, from Latin taciturnitat-, taciturnitas, from taciturnus + -itat-, -itas -ity
1. : the quality or state of being taciturn:
a. : inclination to spare, curt, or laconic speech : reticence
the taciturnity and the short answers which gave so much offense — T.B.Macaulay
b. : lack of expressiveness : reserve
tight-lipped they endure their fates and we are the losers from their numb taciturnity — Anthony Quinton
2. Scots law
a. : such failure to assert a legal right as implies that there has been satisfaction or abandonment of it
b. : the plea of mora and taciturnity setting up such failure