SILENT

silent. Silent, a. mute, dumb, still, quiet, weak, useless

---

Si″lent (?), a. [[L. silens, -entis, p. pr. of silere to be silent; akin to Goth. ana-silan.]] 1. 1. Free from sound or noise; absolutely still; perfectly quiet.
How silent is this town! Shak. 2. 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. 3. Keeping at rest; inactive; calm; undisturbed; as, the wind is silent. Parnell. Sir W. Raleigh.
4. 4. (Pron.) Not pronounced; having no sound; quiescent; as, e is silent in “fable.”
5. 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.