silent

si|lent [ `saılənt ] adjective ***

▸ 1 not making noise

▸ 2 place: very quiet

▸ 3 refusing to talk/inform

▸ 4 without noticeable signs

▸ 5 letter: not pronounced

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) a silent person or group of people does not talk, laugh, or make noise:

Everyone was totally silent as the president spoke.

a crowd of silent onlookers

a ) used about a person who does not usually talk to other people very much:

Fathers were expected to be strong and silent.

b ) a silent action or activity is done without talking or making any sounds:

He said a silent prayer.

silent reading

2. ) a silent place is very quiet:

We hiked through a silent pine forest.

The house was silent except for the hum of the refrigerator.

3. ) refusing to provide information or talk about something:

If you are arrested, you have the right to remain silent (=you do not have to give information to the police).

silent on: For the time being, I prefer to stay silent on the matter.

silent about: Everyone was asked to keep silent about the new project.

4. ) if something such as a disease or problem is silent, there no noticeable signs that it exists:

High blood pressure is a silent killer.

a silent infection

5. ) a silent letter is a letter in a word that has no sound when you say the word but must be used when the word is spelled or written:

The h in herb is silent in American English.

fall silent

1. ) to stop talking or making a noise:

I've said enough he mumbled, and fell silent.

2. ) if guns fall silent, they stop firing:

A ceasefire was agreed to and the guns fell silent.

the silent treatment

behavior that involves not speaking to someone as a way of showing that you do not approve of them