silence

interj. Be silent; -- used elliptically for let there be silence, or keep silence. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Silenced p. pr. & vb. n. Silencing ] 1. To compel to silence; to cause to be still; to still; to hush. [ 1913 Webster ]

Silence that dreadful bell; it frights the isle. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To put to rest; to quiet. [ 1913 Webster ]

This would silence all further opposition. Clarendon. [ 1913 Webster ]

These would have silenced their scruples. Rogers. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To restrain from the exercise of any function, privilege of instruction, or the like, especially from the act of preaching; as, to silence a minister of the gospel. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Rev. Thomas Hooker of Chelmsford, in Essex, was silenced for nonconformity. B. Trumbull. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To cause to cease firing, as by a vigorous cannonade; as, to silence the batteries of an enemy. [ 1913 Webster ]