Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Silent

Silent , adjective

[Latin silens, -entis, present participle of silere to be silent; akin to Gothic ana-silan.]

1.
Free from sound or noise; absolutely still; perfectly quiet.
How silent is this town! — Shakespeare
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.) Not pronounced; having no sound; quiescent; as, e is silent in “fable.”
5.
Having no effect; not operating; inefficient. [Rare]
Cause... silent, virtueless, and dead. — Sir W. Raleigh
Collocations (1)
Silent partner , See Dormant partner, under Dormant.

Silent , noun

That which is silent; a time of silence. [Rare]
The silent of the night. — Shakespeare