n. & v.
n. 1 absence of sound. 2 abstinence from speech or noise. 3 the avoidance of mentioning a thing, betraying a secret, etc. 4 oblivion; the state of not being mentioned.
v.tr. make silent, esp. by coercion or superior argument. in silence without speech or other sound. reduce (or put) to silence refute in argument.
[ ME f. OF f. L silentium (as SILENT) ]