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Entry 10 senses · 3 variants Webster, 1913

Silence

/sīl'-əns/ · Si·lence · IPA /ˈsaɪləns/
01 n. The state of being silent; entire absence of sound or noise; absolute stillness.
  1. 1.
    The state of being silent; entire absence of sound or noise; absolute stillness.
    “I saw and heared; for such a numerous host Fled not in silence through the frighted deep.” — Milton.
  2. 2.
    Forbearance from, or absence of, speech; taciturnity; muteness.
  3. 3.
    Secrecy; as, these things were transacted in silence.
    “The administration itself keeps a profound silence.” — D. Webster.
  4. 4.
    The cessation of rage, agitation, or tumilt; calmness; quiest; as, the elements were reduced to silence.
  5. 5.
    Absence of mention; oblivion.
    “And what most merits fame, in silence hid.” — Milton.
02 interj. Be silent; -- used elliptically for let there be silence, or keep silence.
  1. 1.
    Be silent; -- used elliptically for let there be silence, or keep silence.
03 v. t. To compel to silence; to cause to be still; to still; to hush.
imp. & p. p. Silenced; p. pr. & vb. n. Silencing
  1. 1.
    To compel to silence; to cause to be still; to still; to hush.
    “Silence that dreadful bell; it frights the isle.” — Shak.
  2. 2.
    To put to rest; to quiet.
    “This would silence all further opposition.” — Clarendon.
    “These would have silenced their scruples.” — Rogers.
  3. 3.
    To restrain from the exercise of any function, privilege of instruction, or the like, especially from the act of preaching; as, to silence a minister of the gospel.
    “The Rev. Thomas Hooker of Chelmsford, in Essex, was silenced for nonconformity.” — B. Trumbull.
  4. 4.
    To cause to cease firing, as by a vigorous cannonade; as, to silence the batteries of an enemy.