2007-02-16 15:17:18 · 7 answers · asked by vieja 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
A vow of silence is just what it says, "A vow of silence." It is usually taken by nuns in a contemplative order and it means that they take a vow to be silent except for those set times during a day when they are allowed to speak. I believe they do this so that they can listen for and hear the voice of God within talking to them. If they talk they will not be able to hear God's voice.
2007-02-16 15:24:02 · answer #1 · answered by Sicilian Godmother 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't believe there is any other term.
A vow of silence, very basically, is usually a religious (but not necessarily so) resolution taken by a person to utter no words during a period. Reasons for such a vow vary between spiritual awakening through deep thought unbroken and untarnished by meaningless words, a sacrifice of the gift of speech in order to achieve/receive something or give penance for something one has done, and sometimes you're just being a stubborn dweeb. The length of time one spends doing this might be pre-determined, undetermined, or permanent. Monks and Buddhists living in reclusive theological studies are most commonly associated with taking the vow of silence.
2007-02-16 15:26:49 · answer #2 · answered by lou53053 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
How bout keeping your mouth shut to keep a secret in?
just kidding.....
vow of silence really says it all. But, it sure has me thinking and now I will have to go look it up. Thanx for intriguing my brain cells. I'm back...so far I found the words for the mafia vow of silence and it is " a wall of omerta".
2007-02-19 13:23:39 · answer #3 · answered by missellie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An oath of quietness?
I agree that vow of silence is the proper terminology.
2007-02-16 15:24:47 · answer #4 · answered by Pink1967 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Vow of silence.
2007-02-16 15:20:47 · answer #5 · answered by FCabanski 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There may be a poetic technical word for it, but "vow of silence" is quite adequate.
2007-02-16 15:20:00 · answer #6 · answered by djcartwright 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Children who won't talk, but have the ability to--it's called elective mutism.
2007-02-16 15:52:29 · answer #7 · answered by franklyn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋