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Stille
/ˈʃtɪlə/
silence
Die Stille war fast greifbar.
The silence was almost tangible.
general
A state of quiet or absence of sound.
In der Bibliothek herrscht absolute Stille.
Absolute silence prevails in the library.
Nach dem Streit herrschte eine unangenehme Stille.
An uncomfortable silence followed the argument.
Can refer to both literal and metaphorical silence.
literary
A calm or peaceful state, often with emotional connotations.
Die Stille des Waldes beruhigte sie.
The stillness of the forest calmed her.
Often used poetically to describe a serene atmosphere.
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Literal vs. Figurative Use
'Stille' can describe both the absence of sound and a state of calmness. Context usually clarifies the intended meaning.
Gold Rule
Capitalization
In German, 'Stille' is always capitalized as it is a noun.
Word Origin
From Middle High German 'stille', from Old High German 'stillī', from Proto-Germanic 'stiljō' (silence). Related to English 'still'.
Usage Notes
In German, 'Stille' is often used to describe a profound or meaningful absence of sound, sometimes with emotional weight. It can also refer to a state of calmness or tranquility.
Word Breakdown
still
calm, quiet
root-e
noun-forming suffix
suffixDeutsch-Englisch Wörterbuch