reticeō

1. Silere (from ἑλλός) means to be still, σιωπᾶν, in opp. to strepere, Suet. Aug. 94; whereas tacere (from tegere?) means to be silent, σιγᾶν, in opp. to loqui, dicere. And the compound word reticere, if a man has something to say, and keeps it to himself, in opp. to eloqui, proloqui; but obticere, if a man does not speak to one who asks or expects an explanation, in opp. to respondere. Cic. Harusp. 28. Sed tamen facile tacentibus cæteris reticuissem. 2. Tacens and tacitus denote being silent merely as a temporary state; tacens means any one who does not speak; tacitus, one who, when an opportunity for speaking offers, purposely refrains, and observes a significant silence; whereas taciturnus denotes silence as an habitual quality, like close and reserved. (i. 85.)

1. Celare has an abstract or intellectual reference to its object, like κεύθειν, in opp. to fateri, and so forth; synonymously with reticere, Liv. xxiv. 5. Curt. vi. 9; whereas occulere, occultare, have a concrete and material reference to their object, like κρύπτειν, in opp. to aperire, synonymously with obtegere; Cic. Acad. iv. 19. N. D. ii. 20. Fin. i. 9, 30. Att. v. 15: the celanda remain secret, unless they happen to be discovered; but the occultanda would be exposed to sight, unless particular circumspection and precaution were used. 2. In the same manner clam and clanculum denote secretly, in opp. to palam, Cic. Rosc. Am. 8; whereas occulte, in opp. to aperte, Cic. Rull. i. 1. 3. Occulere denotes any concealment; occultare, a careful or very anxious concealment, and on this account finds no place in negative propositions, or as seldom, for example, as redolere. 4. Occultare means to prevent anything being seen, by keeping it covered; whereas abdere, condere, and abscondere, by removing the thing itself; abdere (ἀποθεῖναι) by laying it aside, and putting it away, like ἀποκρύπτειν; condere (καταθεῖναι), by depositing it in a proper place of safety, like κατακρύπτειν; recondere, by hiding it carefully and thoroughly; abscondere, by putting it away, and preserving it. (iv. 45.)