silence
/ˈsaɪləns/
noun
Origin
Latin
silentia — a being silent, stillness
Overview
Meaning Now
- The complete absence of sound.
- The state or quality of refraining from speech or communication.
Language path
Latin → Old French → English
Earliest form
silence
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The word entered the English language via Old French, reflecting the strong influence of Latinate legal and intellectual vocabulary during the Middle Ages. Its use expanded from denoting specific moments of quiet to the abstract concept of communicative restraint.
Evolution
- Latin
silere
“to be silent”
- Latin
silentium
“stillness”
- Old French
silence
“quietness”
Introduced into English following the Norman Conquest.
- Middle English
silence
“absence of noise”
Connections
Word parts
silent
root
quiet
ence
suffix
state or quality
Related across languages
French
silence
Spanish
silencio
silence
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Related to silence
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.