silence \si"lence\, 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
see also:
silenced silencing 

silenced
     adj : reduced to silence; "the silenced crowd waited expectantly"
           ant: unsilenced
see also:
unsilenced