silence
/ˈsaɪlən(t)s/ noun, verb, interjection, proper noun
Forms silences silencing silenced
- noun The absence of any sound. “When the motor stopped, the silence was almost deafening.”
- noun The act of refraining from speaking. “"You have the right to silence," said the police officer.”
- noun Refraining from speaking, for purposes of prayer or meditation; especially, a form of worship practiced by the Society of Friends (Quakers) during meetings. “During silence a message came to me that there was that of God in every person.”
- verb (transitive) To make (someone or something) silent. “Can you silence the crowd, so we can start the show?”
- verb (transitive) To repress the expression of something. “Women, as well as children, have their thoughts or emotions routinely silenced.”
- verb (transitive) To suppress criticism, etc. “Silence the critics.”
- verb (molecular biology) To block gene expression.
- verb (euphemistic) To murder.
- interjection (imperative) Be silent. “Silence! Enough of your insolence!”
- proper noun (rare) A female given name from English.
Synonyms
inaudibility quietness black noise crickets hush noiselessness quiet roo stillness soundlessness whistness mute be quiet shush shut up whist muteness secrecy secretiveness quieten still hush up
Antonyms
Etymology
From Middle English silence, from Old French silence, from Latin silentium (“silence”), from silēns (“quiet, silent”, present participle of silēre) + -ium. Displaced native Old English swīġe and sālnes.
From silence.
Webster’s 1913
- noun The state of being silent; entire absence of sound or noise; absolute stillness.
- noun Forbearance from, or absence of, speech; taciturnity; muteness.
- interjection Be silent; --used elliptically for let there be silence, or keep silence. Shak.
- verb To compel to silence; to cause to be still; to still; to hush.
Etymology [F., fr. L. silentium. See Silent.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “silence”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details