Si"lence (?), n. [F., fr. L. silentium. See Silent.]

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.

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

Si"lence, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Silenced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. 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.

Si"lence (?), n. [F., fr. L. silentium. See Silent.]

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.

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

Si"lence, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Silenced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. 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.

• The lack of any sound. (When the motor stopped, the silence was almost deafening.)
  
• Form of meditative worship practiced by the Society of Friends (Quakers). "Meeting for worship." (During silence a message came to me that there was that of God in every person.)
  
• An order, demand or instruction for someone to be quiet. (There was a sign over the librarian's desk that read, "Silence!")