4. To cause to cease firing, as by a vigorous cannonade; as, to silence the batteries of an enemy.
SILENCER Si"lenc*er, n. One that silences; specif.: (a) The muffler of an internal-combustion engine. (b) Any of various devices to silence the humming noise of telegraph wires. (c) A device for silencing the report of a firearm shooting its projectiles singly, as a tubular attachment for the muzzle having circular plates that permit the passage of the projectile but impart a rotary motion to, and thus retard, the exploding gases.
SILENE
Si*le"ne, n. Etym: [NL., fr. L. Silenus, the attendant of Bacchus.]
(Bot.)
Defn: A genus of caryophyllaceous plants, usually covered with a viscid secretion by which insects are caught; catchfly. Bon Silène. See Silène, in the Vocabulary.
SILENT Si"lent, a. Etym: [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.)
Defn: Not pronounced; having no sound; quiescent; as, e is silent in "fable."