\Ret"i*cence\, n. [L. reticentia: cf. F.
r['e]ticence.]
1. The quality or state of being reticent, or keeping
   silence; the state of holding one's tonque; refraining to
   speak of that which is suggested; uncommunicativeness.

         Such fine reserve and noble reticence. --Tennyson.

2. (Rhet.) A figure by which a person really speaks of a
   thing while he makes a show as if he would say nothingon
   the subject.