te;
_taciturn_ refers to habit and disposition. The talkative person may be
stricken _dumb_ with surprise or terror; the obstinate may remain
_mute_; one may be _silent_ through preoccupation of mind or of set
purpose; but the _taciturn_ person is averse to the utterance of thought
or feeling and to communication with others, either from natural
disposition or for the occasion. One who is _silent_ does not speak at
all; one who is _taciturn_ speaks when compelled, but in a grudging way
that repels further approach. _Reserved_ suggests more of method and
intention than _taciturn_, applying often to some special time or topic;
one who is communicative regarding all else may be _reserved_ about his
business. _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 inferiors. Compare PRIDE.

Antonyms:

communicative, free, garrulous, loquacious, talkative, unreserved.

* * * * *

TASTEFUL.

Synonyms:

artistic, delicate, esthetic, fastidious, nice,
chaste, delicious, esthetical, fine, tasty.
dainty, elegant, exquisite,

_Elegant_ (L. _elegans_, select) refers to that assemblage of qualities
which makes anything choice to persons of culture and refinement; it
refers to the lighter, finer elements of beauty in form or motion,
especially denoting that which exhibits faultless taste and perfection
of finish. That which is _elegant_ is made so not merely by nature, but
by art and culture; a woodland dell may be beautiful or picturesque, but
would not ordinarily be termed _elegant_. _Tasteful_ refers to that in
which the element of taste is more prominent, standing, as it were, more
by itself, while in _elegant_ it is blended as part of the whole.
_Tasty_ is an inferior word, used colloquially in a similar sense.
_Chaste_ (primarily _pure_), denotes in literature and art that which is
true to the higher and finer feelings and free from all excess or
meretricious ornament. _Dainty_ and _delicate_ refer to the lighter and
finer elements of taste and beauty, _dainty_ tending in personal use to
an excessive scrupulousness which is more fully expressed by
_fastidious_. _Nice_ and _delicate_ both refer to exact adaptation to
some standard; the bar of a balance can be said to be nicely or
delicately poised; as regards matters of taste and beauty,