Definition: a refusal to speak when expected
Usage: his silence about my contribution was surprising
Main entry: silence, secrecy, secretiveness
Definition: the trait of keeping things secret
Definition: the absence of sound
Usage: he needed silence in order to sleep; the street was quiet
Main entry: silence
Definition: the state of being silent (as when no one is speaking)
Usage: there was a shocked silence; he gestured for silence
Main entry: hush, hush up, still, shut up, silence, quieten
Definition: cause to be quiet or not talk
Usage: Please silence the children in the church!
Main entry: silence
Definition: keep from expression, for example by threats or pressure
Usage: All dissenters were silenced when the dictator assumed power