'reticent' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'reticēre,' where 're-' meant 'again' and 'tacēre' meant 'to be silent.'

'reticēre' transformed into the French word 'réticent,' and eventually became the modern English word 'reticent' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to be silent again,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily.'