pauciloquy†, costiveness†, curtness; reserve, reticence &c (concealment)
528.
man of few words.
V. be silent &c adj.; keep silence, keep mum; hold one's tongue, hold
one's peace, hold one's jaw; not speak.
&c 582; say nothing, keep one's counsel; seal the lips, close the
lips, button the lips, zipper the lips, put a padlock on the lips, put
a padlock on the mouth; put a bridle on one's tongue; bite one's
tongue, keep one's tongue between one's teeth; make no sign, not let a
word escape one; keep a secret &c 528; not have a word to say; hush up,
hush, lay the finger on the lips, place the finger on the lips; render
mute &c 581.
stick in one's throat.
Adj. silent, mute, mum; silent as a post, silent as a stone, silent as
the grave &c (still) 403; dumb &c 581; unconversable†.
taciturn, sparing of words; closetongued; costive†, inconversable†,
curt; reserved; reticent &c (concealing) 528.
Int. shush!, tush!, silence!, mum!, hush!, chut!†, hist!, tut!, chup!†,
mum's the word; keep your mouth shut! [Vulg.].
Phr. cave quid dicis quando et cui [Lat.]; volto sciolto i pensieri
stretti [It].