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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Having food and rai ment, let us be therewith content. 1 Tim. vi. 8. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

I shall prove these writings . . . authentic, and the contents true, and worthy of a divine original. Grew. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Power of containing; capacity; extent; size. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Strong ship's, of great content. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Geom.) Area or quantity of space or matter contained within certain limits; as, solid contents; superficial contents. [ 1913 Webster ]

The geometrical content, figure, and situation of all the lands of a kingdom. Graunt. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Do not content yourselves with obscure and confused ideas, where clearer are to be attained. I. Watts. [ 1913 Webster ]

Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them. Mark xv. 15. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To satisfy the expectations of; to pay; to requite. [ 1913 Webster ]

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

Syn. -- To satisfy; appease; please. See Satiate. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. Rest or quietness of the mind in one's present condition; freedom from discontent; satisfaction; contentment; moderate happiness. [ 1913 Webster ]

Such is the fullness of my heart's content. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Acquiescence without examination. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The sense they humbly take upon content. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. That which contents or satisfies; that which if attained would make one happy. [ 1913 Webster ]

So will I in England work your grace's full content. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Eng. House of Lords) An expression of assent to a bill or motion; an affirmative vote; also, a member who votes “Content.”. [ 1913 Webster ]

Supposing the number of “Contents” and “Not contents” strictly equal in number and consequence. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ LL. contentatio. ] Content; satisfaction. [ Obs. ] Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Content; easy in mind; satisfied; quiet; willing. -- Con*tent"ed*ly, adv. -- Con*tent"ed*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. acceptance of one's situation in life.
Syn. -- content. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. Full of content. [ Obs. ] Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. contention, L. contentio. See Contend. ] 1. A violent effort or struggle to obtain, or to resist, something; contest; strife. [ 1913 Webster ]

I would my arms could match thee in contention. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Strife in words; controversy; altercation; quarrel; dispute; as, a bone of contention. [ 1913 Webster ]

Contentions and strivings about the law. Titus iii. 9. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Vehemence of endeavor; eagerness; ardor; zeal. [ 1913 Webster ]

An end . . . worthy our utmost contention to obtain. Rogers. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A point maintained in an argument, or a line of argument taken in its support; the subject matter of discussion or strife; a position taken or contended for. [ 1913 Webster ]

All men seem agreed what is to be done; the contention is how the subject is to be divided and defined. Bagehot. [ 1913 Webster ]

This was my original contention, and I still maintain that you should abide by your former decision. Jowett.

Syn. -- Struggle; strife; contest; quarrel; combat; conflict; feud; litigation; controversy; dissension; variance; disagreement; debate; competition; emulation. -- Contention, Strife. A struggle between two parties is the idea common to these two words. Strife is a struggle for mastery; contention is a struggle for the possession of some desired object, or the accomplishment of some favorite end. Neither of the words is necessarily used in a bad sense, since there may be a generous strife or contention between two friends as to which shall incur danger or submit to sacrifices. Ordinarily, however, these words denote a struggle arising from bad passions. In that case, strife usually springs from a quarrelsome temper, and contention from, a selfish spirit which seeks its own aggrandizement, or is fearful lest others should obtain too much. Strife has more reference to the manner than to the object of a struggle, while contention takes more account of the end to be gained. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. contentiosus: cf. F. contentieux. ] 1. Fond of contention; given to angry debate; provoking dispute or contention; quarrelsome. [ 1913 Webster ]

Despotic and contentious temper. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Relating to contention or strife; involving or characterized by contention. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

More cheerful, though not less contentious, regions. Brougham. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Law) Contested; litigated; litigious; having power to decide controversy. [ 1913 Webster ]

Contentious jurisdiction (Eng. Eccl. Law), jurisdiction over matters in controversy between parties, in contradistinction to voluntary jurisdiction, or that exercised upon matters not opposed or controverted.

Syn. -- Quarrelsome; pugnacious; dissentious; wrangling; litigious; perverse; peevish.

-- Con*ten"tious*ly, adv. -- Con*ten"tious*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]