Decrease and Silence

decrease

A change downward.
- usage: "there was a decrease in his temperature as the fever subsided"; "there was a sharp drop-off in sales"
- synonyms: lessening, drop-off
A process of becoming smaller or shorter.
- synonyms: decrement
The amount by which something decreases.
- synonyms: decrement
The act of decreasing or reducing something.
- synonyms: diminution, reduction, step-down

Decrease in size, extent, or range.
- usage: "The amount of homework decreased towards the end of the semester"; "The cabin pressure fell dramatically"; "her weight fell to under a hundred pounds"; "his voice fell to a whisper"
- synonyms: diminish, lessen, fall
Make smaller.
- usage: "He decreased his staff"
- synonyms: lessen, minify

(v.t.) To cause to grow less; to diminish gradually; as, extravagance decreases one's means.
(v.) A becoming less; gradual diminution; decay; as, a decrease of revenue or of strength.
(n.) To grow less, -- opposed to increase; to be diminished gradually, in size, degree, number, duration, etc. or in strength, quality or excellence; as, they days decrease in length from June to December.
(v.) The wane of the moon.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

silence

The state of being silent (as when no one is speaking. )
- usage: "there was a shocked silence"; "he gestured for silence"
The absence of sound.
- usage: "he needed silence in order to sleep"; "the street was quiet"
- synonyms: quiet
A refusal to speak when expected.
- usage: "his silence about my contribution was surprising"
- synonyms: muteness
The trait of keeping things secret.
- synonyms: secrecy, secretiveness

Cause to be quiet or not talk.
- usage: "Please silence the children in the church"
- synonyms: hush, quieten, still, shut up, hush up
Keep from expression, for example by threats or pressure.
- usage: "All dissenters were silenced when the dictator assumed power"

(n.) Forbearance from or absence of, speech; taciturnity; muteness.
(n.) Secrecy; as, these things were transacted in silence.
(n.) The state of being silent; entire absence of sound or noise; absolute stillness.
(v.t.) To cause to cease firing, as by a vigorous cannonade; as, to silence the batteries of an enemy.
(interj.) Be silent; -- used elliptically for let there be silence or keep silence.
(n.) Absence of mention; oblivion.
(n.) The cessation of rage, agitation or tumilt; calmness; quiest; as, the elements were reduced to silence.
(v.t.) 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.
(v.t.) To put to rest; to quiet.
(v.t.) To compel to silence; to cause to be still; to still; to hush.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

Silence is a masculine given name