Part 392

That for his wife weepeth and siketh sore.

Chaucer.

Sike, n. A sigh. [Obs.] Chaucer.

{ Sik"er (?), a. & adv., Sik"er*ly, adv., Sik"er*ness, n., etc.} See 2d Sicker, Sickerly, etc. [Obs.]

Sikhs (?), n. pl.; sing. Sikh (&?;). [Hind. Sikh, properly, a disciple.] A religious sect noted for warlike traits, founded in the Punjab at the end of the 15th century.

Si"lage (?), n. & v. Short for Ensilage.

Sile (?), v. t. [Akin to Sw. sila to strain, sil sieve, G. sielen to draw away or lead off water. √151a. See Silt.] To strain, as fresh milk. [Prov. Eng.]

Sile, v. i. To drop; to flow; to fall. [Prov. Eng.]

Sile, n. 1. A sieve with fine meshes. [Prov. Eng.]

2. Filth; sediment. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

Sile, n. [Icel. sld herring; akin to Sw. sill, Dan. sild. Cf. Sill the young of a herring.] (Zoöl.) A young or small herring. [Eng.] Pennant.

Si"lence (?), n. [F., fr. L. silentium. See Silent.]

1. The state of being silent; entire absence of sound or noise; absolute stillness.

I saw and heared; for such a numerous host Fled not in silence through the frighted deep.

Milton.

2. Forbearance from, or absence of, speech; taciturnity; muteness.

3. Secrecy; as, these things were transacted in silence.

The administration itself keeps a profound silence.

D. Webster.

4. The cessation of rage, agitation, or tumilt; calmness; quiest; as, the elements were reduced to silence.

5. Absence of mention; oblivion.

And what most merits fame, in silence hid.

Milton.

Si"lence, interj. Be silent; -- used elliptically for let there be silence, or keep silence. Shak.

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.

Silence that dreadful bell; it frights the isle.

Shak.

2. To put to rest; to quiet.