SILENCE • E-FREE TRANSLATION.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

... rendering Charlie impotent to obstruct him in any way the ruffian said nothing whatever. Now, however, standing off a minute, and looking at his victim with much satisfaction, he broke his silence. ...

— The Camp Fire Girls in the Mountains - or Bessie King's Strange Adventure • Jane L. Stewart

... a secret what supernatural consolations were vouchsafed to the blessed cure. On that subject he always preserved a strict silence. He prayed practically throughout the whole night, for his sufferings, as mentioned above, allowed him only a few minutes rest at a time. What he recommended to others in the catechism lessons, he himself constantly practiced. ...

— The Life of Blessed John B. Marie Vianney, Cur of Ars • Anonymous

... gloom o'erspread the aisles—the altar-lamp grew dim, And fainter still the echoes came from the dying vesper hymn; She listened for an answering voice—but no response was given: The marble steps were cold as death, and silence was ...

— Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 457 - Volume 18, New Series, October 2, 1852 • Various

... in her tone, in the lift of her eyes, in her cryptic smile. But he smothered such unworthy promptings. It was fresh proof of his own unreasonable conceit. He turned away from his wife in silence, but he was sure that his face betrayed ...

— Broken to the Plow • Charles Caldwell Dobie

... indiscretion. Yet the sentiments were those of the writer whose name was attached to them, so that the act was not one of forgery. The editor explained that he had sent the extract to Doctor Storrs, who had not returned it, and he had taken silence to mean consent to ...

— The Americanization of Edward Bok - The Autobiography of a Dutch Boy Fifty Years After • Edward William Bok

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