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