TAS-i-turn
(adjective) Reserved or uncommunicative in speech.
The taciturn detective revealed little, even under pressure.
Fun Fact
Taciturn comes from the Latin taciturnus, meaning “not talkative.” It often appears in literature to describe mysterious or stoic characters—think Clint Eastwood’s cowboy or Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice. Unlike shy or introverted, taciturn implies intentional silence, not just social discomfort.
ab-JOOR
(verb) To solemnly renounce, reject, or give up a belief, claim, or course of action.
Under growing pressure, the senator publicly abjured her earlier remarks.
From Latin abjurare — “to deny under oath.”
Fun Fact
Historically, abjure was a legal term: people might “abjure the realm,” formally swearing to leave a country forever. Today, it appears more often in personal or ideological contexts—public figures abjure statements, celebrities abjure scandals, and authors abjure earlier opinions. The word carries a sense of formality and finality—this isn’t just changing your mind; it’s disowning a stance with clarity and purpose.
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