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con·tent 1 (kŏntĕnt)
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n.
1. often contents Something contained, as in a receptacle: the contents of my desk drawer; the contents of an aerosol can.
2. often contents
a. The individual items or topics that are dealt with in a publication or document: a table of contents.
b. The material, including text and images, that constitutes a publication or document.
3.
a. The substance or significance of a written work, especially as contrasted with its form.
b. Information, such as text, video, and sound, usually as contrasted with its format of presentation: a television producer looking for content that was more entertaining.
4. The proportion of a specified substance: Eggs have a high protein content.

[Middle English, from Medieval Latin contentum, neuter past participle of Latin continēre, to contain; see CONTAIN.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 
con·tent 2 (kən-tĕnt)
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adj.
1. Desiring no more than what one has; satisfied.
2. Ready to accept or acquiesce; willing: She was content to step down after four years as chief executive.
tr.v. con·tent·ed, con·tent·ing, con·tents
To make content or satisfied: contented himself with one piece of cake.
n.
Contentment; satisfaction.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin contentus, past participle of continēre, to restrain; see CONTAIN.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.