What is the term for "be silent" in musical instructions?

The term "tacet" is derived from the Latin word meaning "to be silent," and is commonly used in musical notation to indicate that a particular instrument or voice should remain silent for a specified duration. This instruction is important within a score as it informs musicians when they are not required to play or sing, maintaining the flow of the piece and ensuring that other elements can take prominence during that time.

The other terms presented have different meanings related to sound or musical direction. "Mute" typically refers to the act of making a sound quieter or suppressing sound, "retiré" is a ballet term implying a withdrawal or retreat but does not relate to silence in music, and "silenzio" translates directly to "silence" from Italian, but it is less commonly used in conventional Western music notation compared to "tacet." Understanding these distinctions can greatly enhance one’s ability to read and interpret musical scores accurately.