contented, ppl. a.
(kənˈtɛntɪd)
[f. content v. + -ed1.]
1. Satisfied, desiring nothing more or nothing different; limiting one's desires, willing to put up with something; = content a. 1.
| 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 3 The sayd Moyses not contented with these visyons made supplicacyon to God. c 1600 Shakes. Sonn. xxix, With what I most enjoy contented least. a 1661 Fuller Worthies, Bucks (1840) I. 200 T. Bickley was rather contented than willing to accept the bishopric of Chichester. 1749 Fielding Tom Jones xii. x, I should have been contented with a very little. 1883 Froude in Contemp. Rev. XLIV. 1 The greatest men..are those of whom the world has been contented to know the least. |
† b. evil contented: dissatisfied, displeased.
| 1548 Hall Chron. 95 b, He was right evil contented..of the said forcyng of the toure. |
† 2. Willing, ready (to do something); = content a. 3. Obs.
| a 1525 Abp. Warham in M. Burrows Worthies All Souls iv. (1874) 54, I shall be contented to bere the costs and charges thereof myselve. 1549 Bk. Com. Prayer, Collect Gd. Friday, This thy family, for the which our Lord Jesus Christ was contented to be betrayed. 1653 H. Cogan tr. Pinto's Trav. lviii. 231 He prayed him to give him leave to ask him something..Whereunto the Grepo made answer, that he was very well contented. |
3. Satisfied with one's present condition; not disposed to complain; marked by contentment.
| 1594 Shakes. Rich. III, i. iii. 84 By him that rais'd me to this carefull height, From that contented hap which I inioy'd. 1627 Hakewill Apol. iii. vi. §2 Their liberty [is converted] into contented slavery. 1651 Hobbes Leviath. ii. xvii. 85 The foresight of..a more contented life thereby. 1725 Berkeley Proposal Wks. III. 223 A contented, plain, innocent sort of people. |