silent

Definition

Free from sound or noise; absolutely still; perfectly quiet.

Etymology

From Latin silēns (“silent”), present participle of sileō (“be silent”), from Proto-Indo-European *seyl- (“still, windless, quiet, slow”). Related to Gothic 𐌰𐌽𐌰𐍃𐌹𐌻𐌰𐌽 (anasilan, “to cease, grow still, be silent”), Old English sālnes (“silence”).

Example Sentences

• "How silent is this town!"
• "What was formerly performed by fleets and armies, by invasions, sieges, and battles, has been of late accomplished by more silent methods."
• "The voice of the auctioneer is slow and low […]; after a pause, which seems no silenter than the rest of the transaction, he ceases to repeat the bids, and his fish, in the measure of a bushel or so, have gone for a matter of three shillings."

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