Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Silence \Si"lence\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Silenced}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Silencing}.]
   1. To compel to silence; to cause to be still; to still; to
      hush.

            Silence that dreadful bell; it frights the isle.
                                                  --Shak.

   2. To put to rest; to quiet.

            This would silence all further opposition.
                                                  --Clarendon.

            These would have silenced their scruples. --Rogers.

   3. To restrain from the exercise of any function, privilege
      of instruction, or the like, especially from the act of
      preaching; as, to silence a minister of the gospel.

            The Rev. Thomas Hooker of Chelmsford, in Essex, was
            silenced for nonconformity.           --B. Trumbull.

   4. To cause to cease firing, as by a vigorous cannonade; as,
      to silence the batteries of an enemy.