si|lence

si|lence «SY luhns», noun, verb, -lenced, -lenc|ing, interjection.

–n.

1. an absence of all sound or noise; stillness; noiselessness: »

The teacher asked for silence. And silence, like a poultice, comes to heal the blows of sound (Oliver Wendell Holmes).

SYNONYM(S): hush, quiet.

2. the state of being or keeping silent; not talking: »

to keep or break silence, to listen in silence. Silence gives consent (Oliver Goldsmith).

SYNONYM(S): reticence, reserve.

3. a failure to mention; omission of mention or notice in a narrative, or omission or neglect to write, communicate, or reply (about something); secrecy: »

Mother passed over our foolish remarks in silence. Silence in matters of public interest is intolerable in a free society.

–v.t.

1. to stop the speech or noise of; make silent; quiet: »

The nurse silenced the baby's crying. To silence envious tongues (Shakespeare).

2. to make silent by restraint or prohibition; repress: »

to silence the press, to silence an uprising.

3. Figurative. to put at rest; stop the activity of: »

to silence doubts, one's conscience, or scruples.

4. to stop (enemy guns) from firing by destroying or disabling them: »

Fighter-bombers ripped rails, knocked out rolling stock and silenced gun positions in attacks deep in North Korea (New York Times).

–interj.

keep still!; be still!

╂[< Old French silence < Latin silentium < silēre be silent]