Main Entry:

¹si·lence

Pronunciation:

\ˈsī-lən(t)s\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin silentium, from silent-, silens

Date:

13th century

1: forbearance from speech or noise : muteness —often used interjectionally2: absence of sound or noise : stillness <in the silence of the night>3: absence of mention: a: oblivion, obscurity b: secrecy <weapons research was conducted in silence>