disconˈtentment
[f. discontent v. (or a.) + -ment, after contentment. Cf. obs. F. descontentement (1553 in Godef.).]
1. The action or fact of discontenting (rare); the fact or condition of being discontented; dissatisfaction; = discontent n.1 1.
| 1579 Fenton Guicciard. (1618) 325 It seemed his discontentment proceeded chiefly of feare. 1580 Proscr. agst. Pr. Orange in Phenix (1721) I. 433 There did..appear some Discontentment of our said Subjects. 1601 Holland Pliny II. 457 Seeing what trouble and discontentment was risen hereupon throughout the city. 1645 Bp. Hall Remed. Discontents 71 Discontentment is a mixture of anger, and of grief. 1720 Strype Stow's Surv. (1754) II. v. xi. 294/2 Finding a general Exclamation and Discontentment against patents of privilege. 1825 Carlyle Schiller i. (1845) 12 His discontentment devoured him internally. |
† b. Displeasure, vexation; = discontent n.1 1 b. Obs.
| 1588 R. Parke tr. Mendoza's Hist. China 242 The newe baptised..wept bitterly, with discontentment to see how [etc.]. 1600 Holland Livy xxxviii. liii. 1017 With words of indignation, testifying his discontentment for this course and manner of proceeding. a 1639 W. Whately Prototypes i. xvi. (1640) 159 So transported with discontentment against a parent for some sharpenesse, as even to hate him. 1659 B. Harris Parival's Iron Age 221 This War..expired..1648 to the..great discontentment of the French, who had much reason to be angry at [the peace]. |
c. with pl. A feeling or instance of discontentment or dissatisfaction; = discontent n.1 1 c.
| 1594 Hooker Eccl. Pol. i. iv, No shadow of matter for teares, discontentments, griefes, and vncomfortable passions. a 1649 Drummond of Hawthornden Hist. Scot. (1655) 46 He nourished discontentments in all parts. 1724 T. Richers Hist. R. Geneal. Spain 156 The Discontentments which..subsisted between Berengaria and the House of Lara. |
† 2. transf. A cause or occasion of discontentment; a grievance; = discontent n.1 2. Obs.
| 1586 A. Day Eng. Secretary ii. (1625) 37 Thinke you not that I have already received discontentment enough? 1627–36 Feltham Resolves i. ii. 5 The best way to perish discontentments, is either not to see them, or convert them to a dimpling mirth. |