Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SI'LENCE, n. [Fr. from L. silentium; from sileo, to be still; It. silenzio; Sp. silencio. The sense is to stop or hold; but this may proceed from setting, throwing down. See Sill.]

1. In a general sense, stillness, or entire absence of sound or noise; as, the silence of midnight.
2. In animals, the state of holding the peace; forbearance of speech in man, or of noise in other animals. I was dumb with silence; I held my peace, even from good. – Ps. xxxix.
3. Habitual taciturnity; opposed to loquacity. – Shak.
4. Secrecy. These things were transacted in silence.
5. Stillness; calmness; quiet; cessation of rage, agitation or tumult; as, the elements reduced to silence.
6. Absence of mention; oblivion. Eternal silence be their doom. – Milton. And what most merits fame, in silence hid. – Milton.
7. Silence, is used elliptically for let there be silence, an injunction to keep silence.