a. Now rare. [f. CONTENT sb.2 + -FUL.] Full of content: a. Characterized by contentment, contented, satisfied. † b. Causing content or satisfaction, satisfying. † c Easily contented or appeased, placable.
1542. Udall, Erasm. Apophth., 112 b. That he might bee hable with a paciente and contentefull mynde, to endure banyshemente.
1552. Huloet, Contentfull, placabilis, placendus.
1580. Sidney, Arcadia (1622), 364. His contentfull mansion.
1599. Massinger, etc., Old Law, IV. ii. But all that’s known to be contentful to thee Shall in the use prove deadly.
1625. K. Long, trans. Barclay’s Argenis, V. xii. 369. To enjoy the safety of their contentfull poverty within the walls of the Cloyster.
a. 1639. W. Whately, Prototypes, I. xi. (1640), 120. Shee was every way contentfull and pleasing unto Abraham.
1652. J. Audley, Eng. Commw., 38. Gentle and contentfull souldiers.
1662–3. Pepys, Diary, 10 Feb. After some contentful talk with my wife.
1716. Cibber, Love makes Man, V. ii. 73. The contentful Peace … of an honest Mind.
1863. Pilgrimage over Prairies, I. 9. The first [journey] for many years that had drawn me from my contentful home.
Hence † Contentfully adv., † Contentfulness.
1552. Huloet, Contentfullye, placabiliter.
1665. Pepys, Diary, 23 June. We spent two or three hours talking of several matters very soberly and contentfully to me. Ibid., 24 July (D.). The contentfulness of our errand, and the nobleness of the company.
1685. H. More, Paralip. Prophet., 89. For the more contentfully peracting this Tax.
