mlenlivý

Mlenlivý is a Czech adjective meaning reticent, taciturn, or not talkative. It describes a person who speaks little, keeps largely to themselves, and shows reserve in conversation. The term is less common in modern standard Czech; the more typical word for this trait is mlčenlivý or tichý. Mlenlivý is chiefly found in literary, historical, or regional usage and may appear in descriptive prose or character sketches.

Etymology and attestation: The exact origins of mlenlivý are not clearly documented in standard dictionaries. It is generally regarded as a nonstandard or archaic variant related to the broader semantic field of silence and reticence, and is usually treated as a synonym of mlčenlivý rather than a distinct root. The preferred modern form is mlčenlivý, formed from mlčet “to be silent” or mlčení “silence.”

Usage: In contemporary Czech, writers would typically choose mlčenlivý or tichý to describe someone who avoids speaking. Mlenlivý may convey a slightly stronger sense of quiet reserve, sometimes with a nuance of habit or mood, but its rarity may require context for readers to understand it.

See also: mlčenlivý, rezervovaný, tichost.