The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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.
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            Silence that dreadful bell; it frights the isle.
                                                  --Shak.
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   2. To put to rest; to quiet.
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            This would silence all further opposition.
                                                  --Clarendon.
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            These would have silenced their scruples. --Rogers.
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   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.
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            The Rev. Thomas Hooker of Chelmsford, in Essex, was
            silenced for nonconformity.           --B. Trumbull.
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   4. To cause to cease firing, as by a vigorous cannonade; as,
      to silence the batteries of an enemy.
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