Topic: FILM
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| Date: | 1400-1500 |
| Language: | Latin |
| Origin: | , present participle of silere 'to be silent' |
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si‧lent W3
1
not speaking
a) not saying anything : 
Alan was silent.
Alan was silent.b) [only before noun] not talking much to other people
the strong silent type (=a man who looks strong and does not talk very much)
2 failing or refusing to talk about something or express an opinion
not communicating
3 without any sound, or not making any sound : The large house was silent and lonely. At last the guns fell silent. Julie offered up a silent prayer that she would pass her exam.
quiet
The large house was silent and lonely.At last the guns fell silent.Julie offered up a silent prayer that she would pass her exam. as silent as the grave (=completely silent in a mysterious or uncomfortable way)
4 a silent film has pictures but no sound
films
AMF [only before noun]5 a silent letter in a word is not pronounced : The 'w' in 'wreck' is silent.
letter
SLThe 'w' in 'wreck' is silent. —silently adverb: He sat silently by the bed.
WORD FOCUS: quiet He sat silently by the bed.WORD FOCUS: quiet voice, sound: low , soft, muffled, hushed, subdued
place: peaceful, calm, sleepy, tranquil
completely quiet: silent, you could hear a pin drop
what you say when you want someone to be quiet: sh, shut up not polite, be quiet, keep it down BrE informal
➔ See also quiet
