WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Si"lent
Part of Speech : a.
Etymology : [L. silens, -entis, p. pr. of silere to be silent; akin to Goth. ana-silan.]
Definition : 1. Free from sound or noise; absolutely still; perfectly quiet. How silent is this town! Shak.

2. Not speaking; indisposed to talk; speechless; mute; taciturn; not loquacious; not talkative. Ulysses, adds he, was the most eloquent and most silent of men. Broome. This new-created world, whereof in hell Fame is not silent. Milton.

3. Keeping at rest; inactive; calm; undisturbed; as, the wind is silent. Parnell. Sir W. Raleigh.

4. (Pron.)

Defn: Not pronounced; having no sound; quiescent; as, e is silent in "fable."

5. Having no effect; not operating; inefficient. [R.] Cause . . . silent, virtueless, and dead. Sir W. Raleigh. Silent partner. See Dormant partner, under Dormant.

Syn. -- Mute; taciturn; dumb; speechless; quiet; still. See Mute, and Taciturn.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : Si"lent
Part of Speech : n.
Definition : Defn: That which is silent; a time of silence. [R.] "The silent of the night." Shak.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913