silent partner vs partner

silent partner and partner both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
silent partner	Yes	No	No	No
partner	Yes	No	Yes	No

As nouns, partner is a hypernym of silent partner; that is, partner is a word with a broader meaning than silent partner:

silent partner: a partner (who usually provides capital) whose association with the enterprise is not public knowledge
partner: a person who is a member of a partnership

silent partner (noun)	partner (noun)
a partner (who usually provides capital) whose association with the enterprise is not public knowledge	an associate in an activity or endeavor or sphere of common interest
	a person's partner in marriage
	a person who is a member of a partnership

silent partner (verb)	partner (verb)
	provide with a partner
	act as a partner