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

Silence
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1. \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. --Milton.
   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.
                                                  --D. Webster.
   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. --Milton.
   

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

3. \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.
                                                  --Shak.
   2. To put to rest; to quiet.
            This would silence all further opposition.
                                                  --Clarendon.
            These would have silenced their scruples. --Rogers.
   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.           --B. Trumbull.
   4. To cause to cease firing, as by a vigorous cannonade; as,
      to silence the batteries of an enemy.