Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Silence \Si"lence\, n. [F., fr. L. silentium. See {Silent}.]
   1. The state of being silent; entire absence of sound or
      noise; absolute stillness.

            I saw and heared; for such a numerous host Fled not
            in silence through the frighted deep. --Milton.

   2. Forbearance from, or absence of, speech; taciturnity;
      muteness.

   3. Secrecy; as, these things were transacted in silence.

            The administration itself keeps a profound silence.
                                                  --D. Webster.

   4. The cessation of rage, agitation, or tumilt; calmness;
      quiest; as, the elements were reduced to silence.

   5. Absence of mention; oblivion.

            And what most merits fame, in silence hid. --Milton.

Silence \Si"lence\, interj.
   Be silent; -- used elliptically for let there be silence, or
   keep silence. --Shak.

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.

Source : WordNet®

silence
     v 1: cause to be quiet or not talk; "Please silence the children
          in the church!" [syn: {hush}, {quieten}, {still}, {shut
          up}, {hush up}] [ant: {louden}]
     2: keep from expression, for example by threats or pressure;
        "All dissenters were silenced when the dictator assumed
        power"

silence
     n 1: the state of being silent (as when no one is speaking);
          "there was a shocked silence"; "he gestured for silence"
     2: the absence of sound; "he needed silence in order to sleep";
        "the street was quiet" [syn: {quiet}] [ant: {sound}]
     3: a refusal to speak when expected; "his silence about my
        contribution was surprising" [syn: {muteness}]
     4: the trait of keeping things secret [syn: {secrecy}, {secretiveness}]