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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

break the silence en · VERB

Meanings

  1. To start talking in a conversation after a period where nobody speaks.
    • Both men waited for the captain to make a decision. Finally, Dean broke the silence. “We need to know what to do, Captain! Before we sink!”
    • Words, like violence, / Break the silence / Come crashing in, / Into my little world 1990, Depeche Mode, “Enjoy the Silence”, in Violator:
  2. To state an opinion on a subject that has been taboo for a period of time.
    • The Free Tibet campaign is calling on world leaders to break the silence, claiming they "continue to refrain from publicly speaking out for Tibet". 2012 June 19, Julian Baggini, “Why it's not the Dalai Lama's job to break the silence on Tibet”, in The Guardian:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
broke the silence Tense=Past lexicographic
breaks the silence Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic
broken the silence Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
breaking the silence Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic