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| si·lence [ slənss ] |
noun (plural si·lenc·es) |
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| Definition: |
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1. quietness: the absence or lack of noise
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2. not speaking: a refusal, failure, or inability to speak
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3. ignoring of something: a failure to notice or acknowledge something
 Most remarkable was the statement's silence about the recent policy change.
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transitive verb (past and past participle si·lenced, present participle si·lenc·ing, 3rd person present singular si·lenc·es) |
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| Definition: |
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1. stop somebody or something making noise: to stop somebody or something from making a noise
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2. suppress something: to suppress the expression of something, or stop a person or group from speaking out
 silence criticism
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3. end hostile behavior of somebody: to cause somebody to stop hostile or aggressive behavior
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| [13th century. Via French< Latin silentium< silent- (see silent)] |