short-tonguedadj.
Having a short tongue; hence (now dialect) inarticulate, stammering, lisping. Also occasionally taciturn, unready in speech.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > defective or inarticulate speech > [adjective]
short-tonguedc1575
cluttering1748
thick-tongued1887
the mind > language > speech > taciturnity or reticence > [adjective]
unspeakinga1382
speechless1390
mutec1400
dumb1406
silenta1425
peaceablec1425
secretc1440
of few wordsa1500
tongue-tied1529
mum1532
closec1540
strait-laced1546
tongue-dumb1556
incommunicable1568
sparing1568
inconversable1577
retentive1599
wordless1604
mumbudget1622
uncommunicable1628
monastica1631
word-bound1644
on (also upon) the reserve1655
strait-mouthed1664
oyster-like1665
incommunicative1670
mumchance1681
speechless1726
taciturnous1727
tongue-tacked1727
monosyllabic1735
silentish1737
untalkative1739
silentious1749
buttoned-up1767
taciturn1771
close as wax1772
untittletattling1779
reticent1825
voiceless1827
say-nothing1838
unremonstrant1841
still1855
unvocal1858
inexpansive186.
short-tongued1864
non-communicating1865
tight-lipped1876
unworded1886
chup1896
tongue-bound1906
shut-mouthed1936
zip-lipped1943
shtum1958
c1575 in J. Raine Depositions Courts Durham (1845) 289 The said Sir Richard..wilbe some tyme mery and light with drink, and short tonged, but nott dronken.
1864 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend (1865) I. ii. v. 204 If I am a short-tongued fellow.
1874 J. Lubbock Wild Flowers iii. 68 The honey which is accessible even to beetles, and short-tongued flies.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online June 2018).
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adj.c1575