Etymology Map
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Silence

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means complete absence of sound

Where does the word "silence" come from? It comes from Latin silentium, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
silentium
Latin · ancient
"silence"
from 'silere', to be quiet
2
Stage 2 of 3
silence
Old French · medieval
"silence"
used in monastic rules
3
Stage 3 of 3
silence
English · 1200s
"silence"
'silence is golden' dates from the 1800s
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Read the full story

Silence’s story begins in Latin: silentium meant “silence.” From 'silere', to be quiet. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as silence. Used in monastic rules. It reached English by 1200s as silence. 'silence is golden' dates from the 1800s. Today, silence means complete absence of sound.