content

con|tent¹ W2S2 [ˈkɔntent US ˈka:n-] n

1.) contents [plural]

a) the things that are inside a box, bag, room etc

contents of

▪ The customs official rummaged through the contents of his briefcase.

▪ Most of the gallery's contents were damaged in the fire.

contents insurance

(=insurance for things such as furniture that you have in your house)

b) the things that are written in a letter, book etc

contents of

▪ She kept the contents of the letter a secret.

▪ The program automatically creates a table of contents (=a list at the beginning of a document that shows the different parts into which it is divided) .

▪ He cast his eye down the contents page .

2.) [singular]

the amount of a substance that is contained in something, especially food or drink

fat/protein/alcohol etc content

▪ the fat content of cheese

▪ water with a low salt content

3.) [singular, U]

the ideas, facts, or opinions that are contained in a speech, piece of writing, film, programme etc

▪ The content of the media course includes scripting, editing and camera work.

4.) [singular, U]

the information contained in a website, considered separately from the software that makes the website work

▪ The graphics are brilliant. It's just a shame the content is so poor.

content ²

con|tent² W3 [kənˈtent] adj [not before noun]

[Date: 1400-1500; : French; Origin: Latin contentus; CONTENT²]

1.) happy and satisfied

▪ Andy was a good husband, and Nicky was clearly very content.

content with

▪ We'll be content with a respectable result in tomorrow's match.

2.) content (for sb) to do sth

willing to do or accept something, rather than doing more

▪ She sat quietly, content to watch him working.

▪ He seemed quite content to let Steve do the talking.

▪ Dr Belson had been more than content for them to deal with any difficulties.

3.) not content with sth

used to emphasize that someone wants or does more than something

▪ Not content with her new car, Selina now wants a bike for trips into the city centre.

content ³

content³ n [U]

1.) literary a feeling of quiet happiness and satisfaction

2.) do sth to your heart's content

to do something as much as you want

▪ She took refuge in the library, where she could read to her heart's content.

content ⁴

content⁴ v [T]

1.) content yourself with (doing) sth

to do or have something that is not what you really wanted, but is still satisfactory

▪ Mr Lal has been asking for more responsibility, but has had to content himself with a minor managerial post.

2.) formal to make someone feel happy and satisfied

▪ I was no longer satisfied with the life that had hitherto contented me.