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silence - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'silence' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Silence [ interj.]
- Be silent; -- used elliptically for let there be silence, or keep silence.
2 . Silence [ n.]
- The state of being silent; entire absence of sound or noise; absolute stillness.
- Forbearance from, or absence of, speech; taciturnity; muteness.
- Secrecy; as, these things were transacted in silence.
- The cessation of rage, agitation, or tumilt; calmness; quiest; as, the elements were reduced to silence.
- Absence of mention; oblivion.
3 . Silence [ v. t.]
- To compel to silence; to cause to be still; to still; to hush.
- To put to rest; to quiet.
- 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.
- To cause to cease firing, as by a vigorous cannonade; as, to silence the batteries of an enemy.

Meaning of 'silence' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . silence [ n]
Meaning (1):
- the state of being silent (as when no one is speaking)
Example in sentence:
  • he gestured for silence;
  • there was a shocked silence
Meaning (2):
- the absence of sound
Example in sentence:
  • he needed silence in order to sleep;
  • the street was quiet
Meaning (3):
- a refusal to speak when expected
Example in sentence:
  • his silence about my contribution was surprising
4 . silence [ v]
Meaning (4):
- keep from expression, for example by threats or pressure
Example in sentence:
  • All dissenters were silenced when the dictator assumed power
Meaning (5):
- cause to be quiet or not talk
Example in sentence:
  • Please silence the children in the church!

Nearby Words:

silage sile silenced silencing silene silent silentiary silentious silently silentness

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