c. 1200, "muteness, state of being silent," from Old French silence "state of being silent; absence of sound," from Latin silentium "a being silent," from silens, present participle of silere "be quiet or still," of unknown origin. Meaning "absence of sound" in English is from late 14c.
silence (v.)
1560s, intransitive, "become still or silent;" 1590s, transitive, "make silent," from silence (n.). Related: Silenced; silencing.
雙語例句
1. There was a long silence, and my father looked shamefaced.
沉默持續(xù)了很長時(shí)間，而我父親看上去面帶愧色。
來自柯林斯例句
2. There was silence at the other end of the line.
電話那頭沒有聲音。
來自柯林斯例句
3. Delegates sat in rapt silence as Mrs Fisher spoke.
費(fèi)希爾夫人發(fā)言的時(shí)候，代表們都一言不發(fā)專心致志地聽著。
來自柯林斯例句
4. The unearthly silence was broken by a shrill screaming.
一聲尖叫打破了這可怕的沉寂。
來自柯林斯例句
5. The silence was broken by the whirring of a helicopter.