1. 寂静的，无声的　 free from noise; quiet
2. 沉默的　 not speaking or using spoken expression
3. 不发音的　 (of a letter in a word) not having a sound; not pronounced

　～ audience　无言的观众
　～ film　无声电影
　～ forest　寂静的森林
　～ night　寂静的夜
　～ prayer　默默的祈祷
　～ assent　默许
　～ opposition　默默的反对
　～ reading　默读
　～ room　寂静的房间
　～ type　沉默型
　～ volcano　静止的火山
　absolutely ～　绝对沉默
　often ～　常常不发音
　strangely ～　奇怪地沉默
　usually ～　通常不发音
　fall ～　沉默下来
　keep ～　沉默不语
　remain ～　保持沉默，保持安静
　sit ～　静坐着
　～ about　对…保持沉默的
　～ about what happened　对发生的事情默不作声
　～ as to the subject　未提及这个问题
　～ of the subject　未提及这问题
　～ on〔upon〕　对…保持沉默的

　His own cry, which clattered down the silent ravines, was borne back to his ears in the countless repetitions.　他自己的叫声在寂静的山谷回响，一而再，再而三地传回到他耳中。
　The cat moved on silent feet.　那只猫无声地走动着。
　It was a silent film.　那是一部无声电影。
　A silent movie doesn't mean it is motionless.　无声电影并非没有动作。
　She was a famous star of the silent movies.　她是无声电影的明星。
　He is a strong, silent type.　他是个坚强沉默型的人。
　He is a silent, thoughtful boy.　他是一个沉默多思的孩子。
　The "e" in "time" is a silent letter. 　time中的e不发音。

　It was deep silent in the forest.　森林深处寂静无声。
　He motioned to me to be silent.　他打手势叫我别出声。
　When it is operating, this dishwasher is almost silent.　这种洗碟机工作时几乎不发出一点声响。
　When he came, he was silent and moody, and after a few sarcastic remarks he went away.　他来时默默无言，郁郁不乐，冷嘲热讽一通之后就走了。
　He was silent at first, but soon he opened up and told us about his terrible experiences.　他一开始沉默不语，但不久便开口讲起他那些可怕的经历。
　Gradually he became silent.　渐渐地他变得沉默寡言了。
　His voice choked at the painful memory and he fell silent.　这些痛苦的回忆使他声音哽咽，他沉默下来。
　Do you know when to keep silent?　你知道什么时候该保持沉默吗?
　There are a lot of rumors about him but he keeps silent and never hits back at anyone.　有许多关于他的流言，可是他一直对此保持沉默，从不回击。
　It is preferable to remain silent.　保持沉默是上策。

　His speech held them silent.　他的演讲使他们寂静无声。

 ♣ silent about
　对…未提到　do not refer to sth
　Will you please keep silent about what I did?　请你别把我做的事说出去好吗?
　History is silent about what followed.　历史对后来的事没有记载。
　The record is silent about the subject.　该记录未提及这个问题。
　You'd better be silent about what you see here.　你对于在这里所看到的事情最好别开口。
 ♣ silent as the grave
　寂静无声的，像坟墓一样沉寂　completely silent, perhaps suggesting mystery
　The house was dark and silent as the grave.　那屋子里一片漆黑，沉寂得像座坟墓。
　I passed and repassed the house, and stopped and listened at the door; all was dark and silent as the grave.　我在那座房子走了几遍，还停在门口细听，一切都是漆黑，沉寂得像座坟墓。
　I will be silent as the grave.　我一定守口如瓶。
 ♣ silent on
　对…保持沉默　not give one's opinion on sth
　The law is silent on this difficult point.　法律避而不谈这个难点。
　He has remained absolutely silent on this point.　他在这一点上始终保持绝对沉默。

 ♣ silent, calm, peaceful, quiet, still
　参见calm条。
 ♣ silent, reticent, taciturn
　这三个词都可表示“沉默寡言的”。其区别是：silent指有沉默寡言的特点，只说必须说的话，但也可指在某一场合因为某种缘故而不说话；taciturn意为不爱说话，天性倾向于沉默；reticent意为不把所知道的事情说出，尤指对私事秘而不宣。例如：
　He is a taciturn man who dislikes parties.　他是一个不喜欢聚会、天性沉默寡言的人。
　He is reticent about his early life.　他对自己早年的生活秘而不宣。

　请肃静。
　［误］ Please be silence.
　［正］ Please be silent.
　［析］ silence用作名词或动词，不用作形容词，表示“肃静”可用silent.

　［派生词］ silently adv.寂静地；沉默地
　［同义词］ idle, noiseless, quiet, soundless, wordless
　［反义词］ active, declared, excited, lively, noisy