definition of
silence

[1] #1 silence n. the state of being silent (as when no one is speaking); "there was a shocked silence"; "he gestured for silence". wn

[2] #2 silence n. [quiet] the absence of sound; "he needed silence in order to sleep"; "the street was quiet". wn

[3] #3 silence n. [muteness] a refusal to speak when expected; "his silence about my contribution was surprising". wn

[4] #4 silence v. [hush, quieten, still, shut up, hush up] cause to be quiet or not talk; "Please silence the children in the church!". wn

[5] #5 silence n. [secrecy, secretiveness] the trait of keeping things secret. wn