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.

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

Absence of mention; oblivion.

To put to rest; to quiet.

Be silent; – used elliptically for let there be
silence, or keep silence.

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

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

The state of being silent; entire absence of sound or
noise; absolute stillness.

Secrecy; as, these things were transacted in silence.

To compel to silence; to cause to be still; to still;
to hush.