SILENCE • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Silence

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/sˈaɪləns/ Listen

noun

Silence n.

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."

2.

Forbearance from, or absence of, speech; taciturnity; muteness.

3.

Secrecy; as, these things were transacted in silence. "The administration itself keeps a profound silence."

4.

The cessation of rage, agitation, or tumilt; calmness; quiest; as, the elements were reduced to silence.

5.

Absence of mention; oblivion. "And what most merits fame, in silence hid."

verb

Silence v. t. (past & past part. silenced; pres. part. silencing)

1.

To compel to silence; to cause to be still; to still; to hush. "Silence that dreadful bell; it frights the isle."

2.

To put to rest; to quiet. "This would silence all further opposition." "These would have silenced their scruples."

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."

4.

To cause to cease firing, as by a vigorous cannonade; as, to silence the batteries of an enemy.

interjection

Silence interj. Be silent; used elliptically for let there be silence, or keep silence.

See images of 'Silence'

Etymology of 'Silence'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Silence" Quotes from Famous Books

... as he stood there that the surrounding silence grew more intense. Then he passed through a wide gateway and began to stride across an evenly clipped lawn toward a grove of trees beyond. Halfway he paused and glanced absently at his watch. It ...

— Made in Tanganyika • Carl Richard Jacobi

... silence," called out Geraldine; the mellow swish of snow-shoes answered her, and she glided forward on her skis, instructing Delancy ...

— The Danger Mark • Robert W. Chambers

... long halt here, with nothing doing. The Boer gun has ceased to fire, and we call it "silenced," possibly with truth, but the causes of silence are never quite certain. As far as I can make out, it was on the extreme left of their position, while our main attack is threatening their centre. It is raining hard, but we have made a roaring fire of what is the chief fuel in ...

— In the Ranks of the C.I.V. • Erskine Childers

... When silence flees before the voice of Love, Of what expression does that god approve? Is dulcet song or flowing verse his choice, Or stately prose, made regal by his voice? Speaks Love in couplets, or in epics grand? And is Love humble, ...

— Poems of Progress • Ella Wheeler Wilcox

... reflected in their writings, while few tarried long enough to grasp fully the meaning of the institutions and customs of the people. They dwelt long on those things that they found displeasing, and passed over in silence those distinctive virtues with which they were not in harmony. It is not surprising then that they failed to grasp the dignity and importance of the place filled by the Virginia woman. When they spoke of her their criticisms were usually ...

— Patrician and Plebeian - Or The Origin and Development of the Social Classes of the Old Dominion • Thomas J. Wertenbaker

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