Definition: content

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7

content
     adj 1: satisfied or showing satisfaction with things as they are;
            "a contented smile" [syn: contented, content]
            [ant: discontented]
     2: satisfied; enjoying well-being and contentment; "felt
        content with her lot"; "quite happy to let things go on as
        they are" [syn: content, happy]
     n 1: everything that is included in a collection; "he emptied the
          contents of his pockets"; "the two groups were similar
          in content"
     2: what a communication that is about something is about [syn:
        message, subject matter, substance]
     3: the proportion of a substance that is contained in a mixture
        or alloy etc.
     4: the amount that can be contained; "the gas tank has a
        capacity of 12 gallons" [syn: capacity]
     5: the sum or range of what has been perceived, discovered, or
        learned [syn: cognitive content, mental object]
     6: the state of being contented with your situation in life;
        "he relaxed in sleepy contentedness"; "they could read to
        their heart's content" [syn: contentedness]
     7: something (a person or object or scene) selected by an
        artist or photographer for graphic representation; "a
        moving picture of a train is more dramatic than a still
        picture of the same subject" [syn: subject, depicted
        object]
     v 1: satisfy in a limited way; "He limited himself to three
          glasses of beer last night"
     2: make content; "I am contented" [ant: discontent]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Content \Con*tent"\, n.
   1. Rest or quietness of the mind in one's present condition;
      freedom from discontent; satisfaction; contentment;
      moderate happiness.

            Such is the fullness of my heart's content. --Shak.

   2. Acquiescence without examination. [Obs.]

            The sense they humbly take upon content. --Pope.

   3. That which contents or satisfies; that which if attained
      would make one happy.

            So will I in England work your grace's full content.
                                                  --Shak.

   4. (Eng. House of Lords) An expression of assent to a bill or
      motion; an affirmative vote; also, a member who votes
      ``Content.''.

            Supposing the number of ``Contents'' and ``Not
            contents'' strictly equal in number and consequence.
                                                  --Burke.
Content \Con*tent"\ (k[o^]n*t[e^]nt"), a. [F. content, fr. L.
   contentus, p. p. of contenire to hold together, restrain. See
   Contain.]
   Contained within limits; hence, having the desires limited by
   that which one has; not disposed to repine or grumble;
   satisfied; contented; at rest.

         Having food and rai ment, let us be therewith content.
                                                  --1 Tim. vi.
                                                  8.
Content \Con"tent\ (k[o^]n"t[e^]nt or k[o^]n*t[e^]nt"; 277), n.;
   usually in pl., Contents.
   1. That which is contained; the thing or things held by a
      receptacle or included within specified limits; as, the
      contents of a cask or bale or of a room; the contents of a
      book.

            I shall prove these writings . . . authentic, and
            the contents true, and worthy of a divine original.
                                                  --Grew.

   2. Power of containing; capacity; extent; size. [Obs.]

            Strong ship's, of great content.      --Bacon.

   3. (Geom.) Area or quantity of space or matter contained
      within certain limits; as, solid contents; superficial
      contents.

            The geometrical content, figure, and situation of
            all the lands of a kingdom.           --Graunt.

   Table of contents, or Contents, a table or list of topics
      in a book, showing their order and the place where they
      may be found: a summary.
Content \Con*tent"\, v. t. [F. contenter, LL. contentare, fr. L.
   contentus, p. p. See Content, a.]
   1. To satisfy the desires of; to make easy in any situation;
      to appease or quiet; to gratify; to please.

            Do not content yourselves with obscure and confused
            ideas, where clearer are to be attained. --I. Watts.

            Pilate, willing to content the people, released
            Barabbas unto them.                   --Mark xv. 15.

   2. To satisfy the expectations of; to pay; to requite.

            Come the next Sabbath, and I will content you.
                                                  --Shak.

   Syn: To satisfy; appease; plese. See Satiate.