content

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   satisfied or showing satisfaction with things as they are

   I gave a content smile as the dessert arrived.

2. 2
   noun

   something, such as a person, object, or scene, selected by an artist or photographer for graphic representation

   The content of the portrait was the sitting monarch.

3. 3
   noun

   what a communication is about

   The content of the message was unclear to me.

4. 4
   noun

   everything that is included in a collection that is held or included in something

   They emptied the contents of their pockets.

5. 5
   noun

   the amount that can be contained

   The content of the fridge was around forty litres.

6. 6
   noun

   the proportion of a substance that is contained in a mixture or alloy etc.

   The iron content in the alloy was only 5%.

7. 7
   noun

   the state of being contented with your situation in life

   I was content after a long day at work.

8. 8
   verb

   to satisfy in a limited way

   I contented myself with one glass of beer per day.

Etymology

From Middle English content (plural contentes, contence), from Latin contentus, past participle of continēre (“to hold in, contain”), as Etymology 1, above. English apparently developed a substantive form of the adjective, which is not mirrored in Romance languages.