[a. F. contentement (late 16th c. in Littré), f. contenter to CONTENT: see -MENT. In Eng. it has to a great extent exchanged the character of a noun of action for that of a noun of quality derived from an adj., as if = contentness, contentedness.]
1. The action of satisfying; the process of being satisfied; satisfaction. arch.
1474. Househ. Ord., 22. For the contentement of his household royal and creditors thereof.
1568. in Hakluyt, Voy. (1598), I. 377. All being sayd and done (as appeared) to his contentment, he licenced me and my whole company to depart.
1576. Fleming, Panopl. Epist., 35. The Victor … must doe many thinges to the expectation and contentment of them, by whose helpe he obteined the victorie.
a. 1657. Sir J. Balfour, Ann. Scot. (1824–5), II. 265. Doing the best worke … for the honor of God, contentment of the King.
1821. Scott, Kenilw., ii. The guests took their leave … to the contentment of mine host.
1851. Helps, Comp. Solit., ix. (1874), 156. With no contentment to the appetites of the hungry.
† b. Satisfaction of a claim; payment. rare.
1603. Knolles, Hist. Turks (1621), 1116. The lord Swartzenburg … was comming with money to give them contentment.
2. The fact, condition, or quality of being contented; contentedness. (The usual modern sense.)
1597. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., V. lxviii. § 12. The same contentment, tranquilitie, and ioy, that others … haue reaped.
1611. Bible, 1 Tim. vi. 6. But godlinesse with contentment is great gaine.
1641. Hinde, J. Bruen, xxxvi. 112. In much contentment and peace, He began to look homewards.
1768. Beattie, Minstr., I. xiii. From health contentment springs.
1886. Morley, Comte (Crit. Misc.), III. 339. After a short experiment of three weeks, Comte returned to neediness and contentment.
b. Const. with, † in.
1651. Fuller, Abel Rediv., Cowper (1867), II. 311. He manifested to his friends what great contentment he had in his approaching death.
1674. Temple, Misc., To C’tess Essex (1697), 173. Submission is the only way of reasoning between a Creature and its Maker; and contentment in His will is the greatest duty we can pretend to, and the best remedy we can apply to all our Misfortunes.
1856. Emerson, Eng. Traits, Lit., Wks. (Bohn), II. 113. Squalid contentment with conventions.
1871. Morley, Voltaire (1886), 38. To abide in patient contentment with an all but purely critical reserve.
† 3. Pleasure, delight, gratification. Obs.
1586. R. Scot, in Holinshed, Chron., III. 1546/1. There was never worke attempted with more desire, nor proceeded in with more contentment.
1600. Holland, Livy, IV. xl. 164. They caused … great contentment [lætitiam] after former fear.
1622. Wither, Mistr. Philar. (1633), 643. Never word of hers I heare But … [it] … much more contentment brings Than the sweetly-touched strings.
1726. W. R. Chetwood, Adv. Capt. R. Boyle, 41. At the reading of this Paper, my Heart ran over with Contentment.
1795. Southey, Joan of Arc, V. 311. I … feel Joy and contentment in the merciful task For which I am sent forth.
† 4. A source of satisfaction or pleasure; a pleasure, enjoyment, delight; = CONTENT sb.2 3.
1579. G. Harvey, Letter-bk. (Camden), 86. Untill a mans fansye be satisfied, he wantith his most soveraigne contentement.
1581. Mulcaster, Positions, xxxviii. (1887), 177. Many and great contentmentes, many and sound comfortes.
1603. Knolles, Hist. Turks (1621), 1235. Money and apparell, the souldiors greatest contentments.
1611. Markham (title), Country Contentments … as namely Hunting, Hawking, etc.
1692. Lady Russell, Lett., II. cxxxv. 109. As for reading, I am past that contentment.
