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.
Si"lent, n. That which is silent; a
time of silence. [R.] "The silent of the night."
Shak.