‖n.; pl. Contes /plu>. [ F. ] A short narrative or tale, esp. one dealing with surprising or marvelous events.

The conte (sic) is a tale something more than a sketch, it may be, and something less than a short story. . . . The “Canterbury Tales” are contes, most of them, if not all, and so are some of the “Tales of a Wayside Inn.” Brander Matthews. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ L. contegere, -tectum, to cover up. ] A covering. [ Obs. ] Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. conteck, conteke, contake, perh. a corruption either of contact or contest. ] 1. Quarrel; contention; contest. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Contek with bloody knife. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Contumely; reproach. [ Obs. ] Wyclif. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Contemned p. pr. & vb. n. Contemning ] [ L. contemnere, -temptum; con- + temnere to slight, despise: cf. OF. contemner. ] To view or treat with contempt, as mean and despicable; to reject with disdain; to despise; to scorn. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thy pompous delicacies I contemn. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

One who contemned divine and human laws. Dryden.

Syn. -- To despise; scorn; disdain; spurn; slight; neglect; underrate; overlook. -- To Contemn, Despise, Scorn, Disdain. Contemn is the generic term, and is applied especially to objects, qualities, etc., which are deemed contemptible, and but rarely to individuals; to despise is to regard or treat as mean, unbecoming, or worthless; to scorn is stronger, expressing a quick, indignant contempt; disdain is still stronger, denoting either unwarrantable pride and haughtiness or an abhorrence of what is base. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who contemns; a despiser; a scorner. “Contemners of the gods.” South. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. Contemptuously. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ L. contemperare, -temperatum; con- + temperare to temper. Cf. Contemperate. ] To modify or temper; to allay; to qualify; to moderate; to soften. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The antidotes . . . have allayed its bitterness and contempered its malignancy. Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ See Contemper. ] To temper; to moderate. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Moisten and contemperate the air. Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The act of tempering or moderating. [ Obs. ] Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Proportionate mixture or combination. “Contemperation of light and shade.” Boyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The condition of being tempered; proportionate mixture; temperature. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The different contemperature of the elements. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Contemplation. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. contemplans, p. pr. ] Given to contemplation; meditative. [ R. ] Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Contemplated p. pr. & vb. n. Contemplating. ] [ L. contemplatus, p. p. of contemplari to contemplate; con- + templum a space for observation marked out by the augur. See Temple. ] 1. To look at on all sides or in all its bearings; to view or consider with continued attention; to regard with deliberate care; to meditate on; to study. [ 1913 Webster ]

To love, at least contemplate and admire,
What I see excellent.
Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

We thus dilate
Our spirits to the size of that they contemplate.
Byron. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To consider or have in view, as contingent or probable; to look forward to; to purpose; to intend. [ 1913 Webster ]

There remain some particulars to complete the information contemplated by those resolutions. A. Hamilton. [ 1913 Webster ]

If a treaty contains any stipulations which contemplate a state of future war. Kent.

Syn. -- To view; behold; study; ponder; muse; meditate on; reflect on; consider; intend; design; plan; propose; purpose. See Meditate. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To consider or think studiously; to ponder; to reflect; to muse; to meditate. [ 1913 Webster ]

So many hours must I contemplate. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. contemplation, L. contemplatio. ] 1. The act of the mind in considering with attention; continued attention of the mind to a particular subject; meditation; musing; study. [ 1913 Webster ]

In contemplation of created things,
By steps we may ascend to God. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Contemplation is keeping the idea which is brought into the mind for some time actually in view. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Holy meditation. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

To live in prayer and contemplation. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The act of looking forward to an event as about to happen; expectation; the act of intending or purposing. [ 1913 Webster ]

In contemplation of returning at an early date, he left. Reid. [ 1913 Webster ]

To have in contemplation, to inted or purpose, or to have under consideration. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A contemplator. [ R. ] I. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (R. C. Ch.) A religious or either sex devoted to prayer and meditation, rather than to active works of charity. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ F. contemplatif, L. contemplativus. ] 1. Pertaining to contemplation; addicted to, or employed in, contemplation; meditative. [ 1913 Webster ]

Fixed and contemplative their looks. Denham. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Having the power of contemplation; as, contemplative faculties. Ray. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. With contemplation; in a contemplative manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state of being contemplative; thoughtfulness. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. ] One who contemplates. Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state of being contemporaneous. [ 1913 Webster ]

The lines of contemporaneity in the oolitic system. J. Philips. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. contemporaneus; con- + tempus time. See Temporal, and cf. Contemporaneous. ] Living, existing, or occurring at the same time; contemporary. [ 1913 Webster ]

The great age of Jewish philosophy, that of Aben Esra, Maimonides, and Kimchi, had been contemporaneous with the later Spanish school of Arabic philosophy. Milman

-- Con*tem`po*ra"ne*ous*ness, n. [1913 Webster]

adv. At the same time with some other event. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age.
Syn. -- coevals, generation. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. Existence at the same time; contemporaneousness. Howell. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Pref. con- + L. temporarius of belonging to time, tempus time. See Temporal, and cf. Contemporaneous. ] 1. Living, occuring, or existing, at the same time; done in, or belonging to, the same times; contemporaneous. [ 1913 Webster ]

This king [ Henry VIII. ] was contemporary with the greatest monarchs of Europe. Strype. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Of the same age; coeval. [ 1913 Webster ]

A grove born with himself he sees,
And loves his old contemporary trees. Cowley. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Contemporaries 1. One who lives at the same time with another; as, Petrarch and Chaucer were contemporaries. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. a person of nearly the same age as another.
Syn. -- coeval. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

v. i. to happen at the same time.
Syn. -- co-occur. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

v. t. to arrange or represent events so that they co-occur.
Syn. -- synchronize. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ L. contemptus, fr. contemnere: cf. OF. contempt. See Contemn. ] 1. The act of contemning or despising; the feeling with which one regards that which is esteemed mean, vile, or worthless; disdain; scorn. [ 1913 Webster ]

Criminal contempt of public feeling. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nothing, says Longinus, can be great, the contempt of which is great. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The state of being despised; disgrace; shame. [ 1913 Webster ]

Contempt and begarry hangs upon thy back. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. An act or expression denoting contempt. [ 1913 Webster ]

Little insults and contempts. Spectator. [ 1913 Webster ]

The contempt and anger of his lip. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Law) Disobedience of the rules, orders, or process of a court of justice, or of rules or orders of a legislative body; disorderly, contemptuous, or insolent language or behavior in presence of a court, tending to disturb its proceedings, or impair the respect due to its authority. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Contempt is in some jurisdictions extended so as to include publications reflecting injuriously on a court of justice, or commenting unfairly on pending proceedings; in other jurisdictions the courts are prohibited by statute or by the constitution from thus exercising this process.

Syn. -- Disdain; scorn; derision; mockery; contumely; neglect; disregard; slight. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality of being contemptible; contemptibleness. Speed. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Worthy of contempt; deserving of scorn or disdain; mean; vile; despicable. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

The arguments of tyranny are ascontemptible as its force is dreadful. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Despised; scorned; neglected; abject. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Insolent; scornful; contemptuous. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

If she should make tender of her love, 't is very possible he 'll scorn it; for the man . . . hath a contemptible spirit. Shak.

Syn. -- Despicable; abject; vile; mean; base; paltry; worthless; sorry; pitiful; scurrile. See Contemptuous. -- Contemptible, Despicable, Pitiful, Paltry. Despicable is stronger than contemptible, as despise is stronger than contemn. It implies keen disapprobation, with a mixture of anger. A man is despicable chiefly for low actions which mark his life, such as servility, baseness, or mean adulation. A man is contemptible for mean qualities which distinguish his character, especially those which show him to be weak, foolish, or worthless. Treachery is despicable, egotism is contemptible. Pitiful and paltry are applied to cases which are beneath anger, and are simply contemptible in a high degree. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state or quality of being contemptible, or of being despised. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a contemptible manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Manifesting or expressing contempt or disdain; scornful; haughty; insolent; disdainful. [ 1913 Webster ]

A proud, contemptuous behavior. Hammond. [ 1913 Webster ]

Savage invective and contemptuous sarcasm. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

Rome . . . entertained the most contemptuous opinion of the Jews. Atterbury.

Syn. -- Scornful; insolent; haughty; disdainful; supercilious; insulting; contumelious. -- Contemptuous, Contemptible. These words, from their similarity of sound, are sometimes erroneously interchanged, as when a person speaks of having “a very contemptible opinion of another.” Contemptible is applied to that which is the object of contempt; as, contemptible conduct; acontemptible fellow. Contemptuous is applied to that which indicates contempt; as, a contemptuous look; a contemptuous remark; contemptuous treatment. A person, or whatever is personal, as an action, an expression, a feeling, an opinion, may be either contemptuous or contemptible; a thing may be contemptible, but can not be contemptuous. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a contemptuous manner; with scorn or disdain; despitefully. [ 1913 Webster ]

The apostles and most eminent Christians were poor, and used contemptuously. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Disposition to or manifestion of contempt; insolence; haughtiness. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Contended; p. pr. & vb. n. Contending. ] [ OF. contendre, L. contendere, -tentum; con- + tendere to strech. See Tend. ] 1. To strive in opposition; to contest; to dispute; to vie; to quarrel; to fight. [ 1913 Webster ]

For never two such kingdoms did contend
Without much fall of blood. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Lord said unto me, Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle. Deut. ii. 9. [ 1913 Webster ]

In ambitious strength I did
Contend against thy valor. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To struggle or exert one's self to obtain or retain possession of, or to defend. [ 1913 Webster ]

You sit above, and see vain men below
Contend for what you only can bestow. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To strive in debate; to engage in discussion; to dispute; to argue. [ 1913 Webster ]

The question which our author would contend for. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

Many things he fiercely contended about were trivial. Dr. H. More.

Syn. -- To struggle; fight; combat; vie; strive; oppose; emulate; contest; litigate; dispute; debate. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To struggle for; to contest. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Carthage shall contend the world with Rome.Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. contendens, p. pr. ] An antagonist; a contestant. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

In all notable changes and revolutions the contendents have been still made a prey to the third party. L'Estrange. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who contends; a contestant. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A female contestant. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Pref. con- + tenement. ] (Law) That which is held together with another thing; that which is connected with a tenement, or thing holden, as a certain quantity of land adjacent to a dwelling, and necessary to the reputable enjoyment of the dwelling; appurtenance. Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 ]