Silent \Si"lent\, a. [L. silens, -entis, p. pr. of silere to be silent; akin to Goth. ana-silan.]

1. Free from sound or noise; absolutely still; perfectly quiet.

How silent is this town! --Shak.

2. Not speaking; indisposed to talk; speechless; mute; taciturn; not loquacious; not talkative.

Ulysses, adds he, was the most eloquent and most silent of men. --Broome.

This new-created world, whereof in hell Fame is not silent. --Milton.

3. Keeping at rest; inactive; calm; undisturbed; as, the wind is silent. --Parnell. Sir W. Raleigh.

4. (Pron.) Not pronounced; having no sound; quiescent; as, e is silent in ``fable.''

5. Having no effect; not operating; inefficient. [R.]

Cause . . . silent, virtueless, and dead. --Sir W. Raleigh.

Silent partner. See Dormant partner, under Dormant.

Syn: Mute; taciturn; dumb; speechless; quiet; still. See Mute, and Taciturn.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Silent \Si"lent\, n. That which is silent; a time of silence. [R.]

``The silent of the night.'' --Shak.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Partner \Part"ner\, n. [For parcener, influenced by part.]

1. One who has a part in anything with an other; a partaker; an associate; a sharer. ``Partner of his fortune.'' --Shak. Hence:
   (a) A husband or a wife.
   (b) Either one of a couple who dance together.
   (c) One who shares as a member of a partnership in the management, or in the gains and losses, of a business.

My other self, the partner of my life. --Milton.

2. (Law) An associate in any business or occupation; a member of a partnership. See Partnership.

3. pl. (Naut.) A framework of heavy timber surrounding an opening in a deck, to strengthen it for the support of a mast, pump, capstan, or the like.

Dormant, or Silent, partner. See under Dormant, a.

Syn: Associate; colleague; coadjutor; confederate; partaker; participator; companion; comrade; mate.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)