silent

 
Pronunciation: /ˈsʌɪlənt/

adjective

  • not making or accompanied by any sound: the wood was still and silent
  • (of a person) not speaking: she fell silent for a moment
  • not expressed aloud: a silent prayer
  • (of a letter) written but not pronounced, e.g. b in doubt: a silent ‘h’
  • (of a film) without an accompanying soundtrack: she appeared in a number of silent films
  • saying or recording nothing on a particular subject: the poems are silent on the question of marriage
  • (of a person) not prone to speak much; taciturn: I’m the strong, silent type

Phrases

(as) silent as the grave

see grave1.

the silent majority

the majority of people, regarded as holding moderate opinions but rarely expressing them: it is vital to get the silent majority to stand up and be counted

the silent treatment

a stubborn refusal to talk to someone, especially after a recent argument or disagreement: often bosses ignore workers or give them the silent treatment

Derivatives

silently

adverb

Origin:

late 15th century (in the sense 'not speaking'): from Latin silent- 'being silent', from the verb silere