/suy"leuhns/ , n. , v. , silenced, silencing , interj.
n.
1. absence of any sound or noise; stillness.
2. the state or fact of being silent; muteness.
3. absence or omission of mention, comment, or expressed concern: the conspicuous silence of our newspapers on local graft.
4. the state of being forgotten; oblivion: in the news again after years of silence.
5. concealment; secrecy.
v.t.
6. to put or bring to silence; still.
7. to put (doubts, fears, etc.) to rest; quiet.
8. Mil. to still (enemy guns), as by more effective fire.
interj.
9. be silent! "Silence!" the teacher shouted.
[ 1175-1225; ME (n.) silentium. See SILENT, -ENCE ]
Syn. 6. hush, quell, muzzle, gag.