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.
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.