Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Silent \Si"lent\, a. [L. silens, -entis, p. pr. of silere to be
silent; akin to Goth. ana-silan.]
1. Free from sound or noise; absolutely still; perfectly
quiet.
How silent is this town! --Shak.
2. Not speaking; indisposed to talk; speechless; mute;
taciturn; not loquacious; not talkative.
Ulysses, adds he, was the most eloquent and most
silent of men. --Broome.
This new-created world, whereof in hell Fame is not
silent. --Milton.
3. Keeping at rest; inactive; calm; undisturbed; as, the wind
is silent. --Parnell. Sir W. Raleigh.
4. (Pron.) Not pronounced; having no sound; quiescent; as, e
is silent in ``fable.''
5. Having no effect; not operating; inefficient. [R.]
Cause . . . silent, virtueless, and dead. --Sir W.
Raleigh.
{Silent partner}. See {Dormant partner}, under {Dormant}.
Syn: Mute; taciturn; dumb; speechless; quiet; still. See
{Mute}, and {Taciturn}.
Source : WordNet®
silent partner
n : a partner (who usually provides capital) whose association
with the enterprise is not public knowledge [syn: {sleeping
partner}]