Silva \Sil"va\, n.; pl. E. {Silvas}, L. {Silvae}. [L., properly, a wood, forest.] [Written also {sylva}.] (Bot.) (a) The forest trees of a region or country, considered collectively. (b) A description or history of the forest trees of a country. Silvas \Sil"vas\or Selvas \Sel"vas\, n. pl. [L. silva a forest, Sp. selva.] Vast woodland plains of South America.