n.
Pronunciation: ' s ī -l ə nt
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English sylent, from Latin silent-, silens, from present participle of sil ē re to be silent; akin to Gothic ana silan to cease, grow calm
Date: 15th century
1 a : making no utterance : MUTE , SPEECHLESS b : indisposed to speak : not loquacious
2 : free from sound or noise : STILL
3 : performed or borne without utterance : UNSPOKEN < silent prayer> < silent grief>
4 a : making no mention <history is silent about this person> b : not widely or generally known or appreciated <the silent pressures on a person in public office> c : making no protest or outcry <the silent majority>
5 : UNPRONOUNCED <the silent b in doubt >
6 : not exhibiting the usual signs or symptoms of presence <a silent infection>
7 a : made without spoken dialogue < silent movies> b : of or relating to silent movies
– si · lent · ly adverb
– si · lent · ness noun
synonyms SILENT , TACITURN , RETICENT , RESERVED , SECRETIVE mean showing restraint in speaking. SILENT implies a habit of saying no more than is needed <the strong, silent type>. TACITURN implies a temperamental disinclination to speech and usually connotes unsociability < taciturn villagers>. RETICENT implies a reluctance to speak out or at length, especially about one's own affairs <was reticent about his plans>. RESERVED implies reticence and suggests the restraining influence of caution or formality in checking easy informal conversational exchange <greetings were brief, formal, and reserved >. SECRETIVE too, implies reticence but usually carries a suggestion of deviousness and lack of frankness or of an often ostentatious will to conceal <the secretive research and development division>.