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silentium

silentium

9.9
A time when people stay quiet for prayer, meditation, or discipline
  • noun
  • /sɪˈlɛnʃəm/
  • Archaic
: silencio
  • Many retreats include silentium to help participants focus on meditation and self-awareness.

Examples

  • The monks observed silentium each evening.

  • After dinner, the group entered a period of silentium to reflect on the day's teachings.

  • The monastery required all visitors to observe silentium during prayer hours.

  • During silentium, we reflected on our thoughts.

  • The monastery required all visitors to observe silentium during prayer hours.

  • Many retreats include silentium to help participants focus on meditation and self-awareness.

  • After dinner, the group entered a period of silentium to reflect on the day's teachings.

Synonyms

silence
vssilentium
373 2.0

A period with no sound or speech

is the practiced or ritual form of this absence with specific purposes
quiet
vssilentium
143 1.0

A calm time with little or no sound

is a specifically kept period of such calm for spiritual or disciplinary use
moment of silence
vssilentium
  • Formal
37 3.5

A short time when people stay quiet to honor or remember someone

is a longer or rule-based observance for spiritual or disciplinary reasons
stillness
vssilentium
35 3.5

A time of complete quiet and no movement that feels calm

focuses on deliberate observance of quiet mainly for religious or disciplinary reasons
quiet time
vssilentium
31 3.7

A short time that is calm and quiet for rest or thinking

is a formally observed period for religious, contemplative, or disciplinary purposes
hush
vssilentium
  • Literature
29 7.0

A calm, quiet time when there is little noise

is a formal, practiced silence used for contemplation or discipline rather than style
quietness
vssilentium
7 1.0

A lack of noise or disturbance in a place

is a focused practice of that condition for ritual or contemplative ends
quietude
vssilentium
  • Literature
2 8.0

A calm, peaceful feeling or time

is the intentionally observed form of that calm for ritual purposes
soundlessness
vssilentium
1 7.3

A complete lack of sound in a place

is this state when deliberately observed for religious or disciplinary aims

Antonyms

∞ 1.0

A loud, unpleasant sound that disturbs you

How Quiet

silentium
  • Archaic
9.9
silence
373 2.0
moment of silence
  • Formal
37 3.5
quiet time
31 3.7

Surface Forms

silentium singular
silentia plural

Etymology

Silentium comes from the Latin verb silēre, which means 'to be quiet', and it is the source of English words like silent and silence. Imagine monks sitting quietly during prayer: that set time of quiet is what silentium means in a religious or retreat setting.