silence Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun the state of being silent (as when no one is speaking)
- there was a shocked silence
- he gestured for silence
noun the absence of sound
quiet.
- he needed silence in order to sleep
- the street was quiet
noun a refusal to speak when expected
muteness.
- his silence about my contribution was surprising
noun the trait of keeping things secret
secretiveness; secrecy.
verb cause to be quiet or not talk
shut up; hush up; hush; quieten; still.
- Please silence the children in the church!
verb keep from expression, for example by threats or pressure
- All dissenters were silenced when the dictator assumed power

F., fr. L. silentium. See Silent.

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.
Forbearance from, or absence of, speech; taciturnity; muteness.
Secrecy; as, these things were transacted in silence.
The administration itself keeps a profound silence. D. Webster.
The cessation of rage, agitation, or tumilt; calmness; quiest; as, the elements were reduced to silence.
Absence of mention; oblivion.
And what most merits fame, in silence hid. Milton.

Be silent; -- used elliptically for let there be silence, or keep silence. Shak.

imperfect & past participle Silenced ; present participle & verbal noun Silencing

To compel to silence; to cause to be still; to still; to hush.
Silence that dreadful bell; it frights the isle. Shak.
To put to rest; to quiet.
This would silence all further opposition. Clarendon.

These would have silenced their scruples. Rogers.
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.
To cause to cease firing, as by a vigorous cannonade; as, to silence the batteries of an enemy.