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