Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language

1. (a.) Free from sound or noise; absolutely still; perfectly quiet.

2. (a.) Not speaking; indisposed to talk; speechless; mute; taciturn; not loquacious; not talkative.

3. (a.) Keeping at rest; inactive; calm; undisturbed; as, the wind is silent.

4. (a.) Not pronounced; having no sound; quiescent; as, e is silent in fable.

5. (a.) Having no effect; not operating; inefficient.

6. (n.) That which is silent; a time of silence.