tacet
C2technical (primarily musical), occasionally literary/humorous
Definition
Meaning
In musical notation: an instruction to a performer to remain silent; to not play an instrument or voice part.
By extension, used to indicate silence or abstention from speech in non-musical contexts, often humorously or metaphorically.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Tacet" is an imperative verb (third-person singular) borrowed directly from Latin. In music, it is a written directive on a score. Its use outside music is highly specialized, metaphorical, or jocular, implying deliberate and significant silence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. It is an international musical term. Spelling remains identical.
Connotations
Identical connotations: technical authority within music; deliberate, marked silence.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse in both varieties. Exclusively found in musical scores, discussions among musicians, or self-consciously erudite prose.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Instrument/part] + tacet(s) + [for duration/until marker]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to tacet (oneself)”
- “a tacet moment (extended, metaphorical use)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used only in musicology or scores. In other fields, it might appear in a metaphorical sense in literary criticism (e.g., 'The narrator tacets for a crucial scene').
Everyday
Not used in everyday conversation.
Technical
The primary domain: musical scores and orchestral/ensemble rehearsals.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The second trumpet tacet in the third movement.
- The score indicates the cellos tacet for eight bars.
American English
- The brass section tacet during the lyrical violin solo.
- See measure 45, where the percussion tacet.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard; 'tacitly' exists but with different meaning) --
American English
- (Not standard; 'tacitly' exists but with different meaning) --
adjective
British English
- (Uncommon; 'tacit' is standard) The tacet passage was clearly marked.
- A tacet instrument.
American English
- (Uncommon; 'tacit' is standard) He had a tacet role in that piece.
- The tacet bars provided a moment of calm.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The flute part is marked 'tacet' for the first page of the score.
- When the choir enters, the strings tacet.
- The conductor reminded the violas that they tacet until the D major section.
- In an uncharacteristically sparse arrangement, the entire rhythm section tacets for the first verse.
- The politician's refusal to comment on the allegation was a deliberate, almost musical, tacet.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
"TAke CETrain on the quiet" – imagine a musician taking a quiet train ride while their part is 'tacet'.
Conceptual Metaphor
SILENCE IS A COMMANDED ABSENCE (of sound).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with "так и есть". It is not related to affirmation. Direct translation "молчит" is only appropriate for the metaphorical extension.
Common Mistakes
- Pronouncing it /tæk.et/ or /tə'set/
- Using it as a noun (e.g., 'a long tacet') in formal writing – 'tacit' is the adjective, 'tacet' is the verb.
- Attempting to use it in casual conversation.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'tacet' be most appropriately and literally used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, both standard pronunciations are /ˈteɪ.sɪt/.
In strict musical terminology, it is a verb. However, informally among musicians, it can be noun-like (e.g., 'I have a long tacet here'). For formal writing, 'rest' or 'silence' is preferred for the noun form.
'Rest' is a general term for a notated period of silence for an individual part. 'Tacet' is a specific instruction, often written over a whole section or movement, indicating that the part is completely silent for a prolonged period, possibly the entire piece.
Yes, 'tacit' (meaning understood or implied without being stated) shares the same Latin root (*tacēre*, to be silent). However, 'tacit' is used in general language, while 'tacet' remains a specialized musical term.