silentiary

noun

si·​len·​ti·​ary

sīˈlenchēˌerē

plural -es

1

: an advocate of silence especially as a religious observance

2

: one of various court officials of the later Roman Empire sworn not to divulge secrets of state

3

: one appointed to keep silence and order (as in a court of law or a public assembly)

Word History

Etymology

Latin silentiarius slave charged with maintaining silence among the domestic staff, from silentium silence + -arius -ary

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