Читаем Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary полностью

5 VERB If someone silences you, they stop you expressing opinions that they do not agree with. □ [V n] Like other tyrants, he tried to silence anyone who spoke out against him. SYNONYMS silence NOUN 1

quiet:Jeremy wants some peace and quiet before his big match.

peace:One more question and I'll leave you in peace.

hush:A hush suddenly fell over the crowd.

calm:…the rural calm of Grand Rapids, Michigan. COLLOCATIONS silence NOUN

1

adjective + silence : awkward, embarrassed, stunned, uncomfortable; long, two-minute; stony, sullen

verb + silence : maintain, observe; break, interrupt

2

adjective + silence : deathly, eerie

verb + silence : shatter

si|lenc|er /sa I lənsə ^r / (silencers )

1 N‑COUNT A silencer is a device that is fitted onto a gun to make it very quiet when it is fired. □  …a pistol that was equipped with a silencer.

2 N‑COUNT A silencer is a device on a car exhaust that makes it quieter. [BRIT ] in AM, use muffler

si|lent ◆◇◇ /sa I lənt/

1 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] Someone who is silent is not speaking. □  Trish was silent because she was reluctant to put her thoughts into words. □  He spoke no English and was completely silent during the visit. □  They both fell silent. ●  si|lent|ly ADV [ADV with v] □  She and Ned sat silently for a moment, absorbing the peace of the lake.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe someone as a silent person, you mean that they do not talk to people very much, and sometimes give the impression of being unfriendly. □  He was a serious, silent man.

3 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] A place that is silent is completely quiet, with no sound at all. Something that is silent makes no sound at all. □  The room was silent except for John's crunching. ●  si|lent|ly ADV [ADV with v] □  Strange shadows moved silently in the almost permanent darkness.

4 ADJ [ADJ n] A silent emotion or action is not expressed in speech. □  The attacker still stood there, watching her with silent contempt.

5 ADJ [ADJ n] A silent film has pictures usually accompanied by music but does not have the actors' voices or any other sounds. □  …one of the famous silent films of Charlie Chaplin.

si |lent ma|jo r|ity N‑SING [with sing or pl verb] If you believe that, in society or in a particular group, the opinions of most people are very different from the opinions that are most often heard in public, you can refer to these people as the silent majority . □ [+ of ] The silent majority of supportive parents and teachers should make their views known.

si |lent pa rt|ner (silent partners ) N‑COUNT A silent partner is a person who provides some of the capital for a business but who does not take an active part in managing the business. [AM , BUSINESS ] in BRIT, use sleeping partner

sil|hou|ette /s I lue t/ (silhouettes )

1 N‑COUNT A silhouette is the solid dark shape that you see when someone or something has a bright light or pale background behind them. □ [+ of ] The dark silhouette of the castle ruins stood out boldly against the fading light.

2 N‑COUNT The silhouette of something is the outline that it has, which often helps you to recognize it. □ [+ of ] …the distinctive silhouette of his ears.

sil|hou|ett|ed /s I lue t I d/ ADJ If someone or something is silhouetted against a background, you can see their silhouette. □ [+ against ] Silhouetted against the sun stood the figure of a man.

sili|ca /s I l I kə/ N‑UNCOUNT Silica is silicon dioxide, a compound of silicon which is found in sand, quartz, and flint, and which is used to make glass.