a. [ F. See Abstain. ] The act of abstaining; a holding aloof. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Characterized by abstinence; self-restraining. Farrar. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. advertens, -entis, p. pr. of advertere. See Advert. ] Attentive; heedful; regardful. Sir M. Hale. -- Ad*vert"ent*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

a. [ L. annectere to tie or bind to. See Annex. ] Connecting; annexing. Owen. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. appetens, p. pr. of appetere. ] Desiring; eagerly desirous. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Appetent after glory and renown. Sir G. Buck. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. armipotents; arma arms + potens powerful, p. pr. of posse to be able. ] Powerful in arms; mighty in battle. [ 1913 Webster ]

The temple stood of Mars armipotent. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. attentus, p. p. of attendere. See Attend, v. t. ] Attentive; heedful. [ Archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Let thine ears be attent unto the prayer. 2 Chron. vi. 40. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Attention; heed. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. [ L. attentatum, pl. attentata, fr. attentare to attempt: cf. F. attentat criminal attempt. See Attempt. ] 1. An attempt; an assault. [ Obs. ] Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Law) (a) A proceeding in a court of judicature, after an inhibition is decreed. (b) Any step wrongly innovated or attempted in a suit by an inferior judge. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. attentio: cf. F. attention. ] 1. The act or state of attending or heeding; the application of the mind to any object of sense, representation, or thought; notice; exclusive or special consideration; earnest consideration, thought, or regard; obedient or affectionate heed; the supposed power or faculty of attending. [ 1913 Webster ]

They say the tongues of dying men
Enforce attention like deep harmony. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Attention is consciousness and something more. It is consciousness voluntarily applied, under its law of limitations, to some determinate object; it is consciousness concentrated. Sir W. Hamilton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An act of civility or courtesy; care for the comfort and pleasure of others; as, attentions paid to a stranger. [ 1913 Webster ]

To pay attention to,
To pay one's attentions to, to be courteous or attentive to; to wait upon as a lover; to court. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Care; heed; study; consideration; application; advertence; respect; regard. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. of or pertaining to attention. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

adj. 1. seizing the attention attention-getting demonstration
Syn. -- eye-catching. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. 1 likely to attract interest.
Syn. -- catchy. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. [ Cf. F. attentif. ] 1. Heedful; intent; observant; regarding with care or attention. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Attentive is applied to the senses of hearing and seeing, as, an attentive ear or eye; to the application of the mind, as in contemplation; or to the application of the mind, in every possible sense, as when a person is attentive to the words, and to the manner and matter, of a speaker at the same time. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Heedful of the comfort of others; courteous. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Heedful; intent; observant; mindful; regardful; circumspect; watchful. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- At*ten"tive*ly, adv. -- At*ten"tive*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. the quality of paying careful attention; attentiveness to detail.
Syn. -- heed, regard, paying attention. [ PJC ]

2. paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people).
Syn. -- heed, regard, paying attention. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

3. the trait of being considerate and thoughtful of others. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

adv. Attentively. [ Obs. ] Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. bellipotens; bellum war + potens powerful, p. pr. of posse to be able. ] Mighty in war; armipotent. [ R. ] Blount. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Existing at the same time with another. -- n. That which coexists with another. [ 1913 Webster ]

The law of coexistent vibrations. Whewell. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ F. compétent, p. pr. of compéter to be in the competency of, LL. competere to strive after together, to agree with; hence, to be fit. See Compete. ] 1. Answering to all requirements; adequate; sufficient; suitable; capable; legally qualified; fit. “A competent knowledge of the world.” Atterbury. “Competent age.” Grafton. “Competent statesmen.” Palfrey. /“A competent witness.” Bouvier. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Rightfully or properly belonging; incident; -- followed by to. [ Rare, except in legal usage. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

That is the privilege of the infinite Author of things, . . . but is not competent to any finite being. Locke.

Syn. -- See Qualified. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a competent manner; adequately; suitably. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. confitens, p. pr. ] One who confesses his sins and faults. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. consistens, p. pr.: cf. F. consistant. ] 1. Possessing firmness or fixedness; firm; hard; solid. [ 1913 Webster ]

The humoral and consistent parts of the body. Harvey. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Having agreement with itself or with something else; having harmony among its parts; possesing unity; accordant; harmonious; congruous; compatible; uniform; not contradictory. [ 1913 Webster ]

Show me one that has it in his power
To act consistent with himself an hour. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

With reference to such a lord, to serve and to be free are terms not consistent only, but equivalent. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Living or acting in conformity with one's belief or professions. [ 1913 Webster ]

It was utterly to be at once a consistent Quaker and a conspirator. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a consistent manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ F. content, fr. L. contentus, p. p. of contenire to hold together, restrain. See Contain. ] Contained within limits; hence, having the desires limited by that which one has; not disposed to repine or grumble; satisfied; contented; at rest. [ 1913 Webster ]

Having food and rai ment, let us be therewith content. 1 Tim. vi. 8. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; usually in pl., Contents. 1. That which is contained; the thing or things held by a receptacle or included within specified limits; as, the contents of a cask or bale or of a room; the contents of a book. [ 1913 Webster ]

I shall prove these writings . . . authentic, and the contents true, and worthy of a divine original. Grew. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Power of containing; capacity; extent; size. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Strong ship's, of great content. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Geom.) Area or quantity of space or matter contained within certain limits; as, solid contents; superficial contents. [ 1913 Webster ]

The geometrical content, figure, and situation of all the lands of a kingdom. Graunt. [ 1913 Webster ]

Table of contents, or
Contents, a table or list of topics in a book, showing their order and the place where they may be found: a summary. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ F. contenter, LL. contentare, fr. L. contentus, p. p. See Content, a. ] 1. To satisfy the desires of; to make easy in any situation; to appease or quiet; to gratify; to please. [ 1913 Webster ]

Do not content yourselves with obscure and confused ideas, where clearer are to be attained. I. Watts. [ 1913 Webster ]

Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them. Mark xv. 15. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To satisfy the expectations of; to pay; to requite. [ 1913 Webster ]

Come the next Sabbath, and I will content you. Shak.

Syn. -- To satisfy; appease; please. See Satiate. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. Rest or quietness of the mind in one's present condition; freedom from discontent; satisfaction; contentment; moderate happiness. [ 1913 Webster ]

Such is the fullness of my heart's content. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Acquiescence without examination. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The sense they humbly take upon content. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. That which contents or satisfies; that which if attained would make one happy. [ 1913 Webster ]

So will I in England work your grace's full content. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Eng. House of Lords) An expression of assent to a bill or motion; an affirmative vote; also, a member who votes “Content.”. [ 1913 Webster ]

Supposing the number of “Contents” and “Not contents” strictly equal in number and consequence. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ LL. contentatio. ] Content; satisfaction. [ Obs. ] Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Content; easy in mind; satisfied; quiet; willing. -- Con*tent"ed*ly, adv. -- Con*tent"ed*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. acceptance of one's situation in life.
Syn. -- content. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. Full of content. [ Obs. ] Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. contention, L. contentio. See Contend. ] 1. A violent effort or struggle to obtain, or to resist, something; contest; strife. [ 1913 Webster ]

I would my arms could match thee in contention. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Strife in words; controversy; altercation; quarrel; dispute; as, a bone of contention. [ 1913 Webster ]

Contentions and strivings about the law. Titus iii. 9. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Vehemence of endeavor; eagerness; ardor; zeal. [ 1913 Webster ]

An end . . . worthy our utmost contention to obtain. Rogers. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A point maintained in an argument, or a line of argument taken in its support; the subject matter of discussion or strife; a position taken or contended for. [ 1913 Webster ]

All men seem agreed what is to be done; the contention is how the subject is to be divided and defined. Bagehot. [ 1913 Webster ]

This was my original contention, and I still maintain that you should abide by your former decision. Jowett.

Syn. -- Struggle; strife; contest; quarrel; combat; conflict; feud; litigation; controversy; dissension; variance; disagreement; debate; competition; emulation. -- Contention, Strife. A struggle between two parties is the idea common to these two words. Strife is a struggle for mastery; contention is a struggle for the possession of some desired object, or the accomplishment of some favorite end. Neither of the words is necessarily used in a bad sense, since there may be a generous strife or contention between two friends as to which shall incur danger or submit to sacrifices. Ordinarily, however, these words denote a struggle arising from bad passions. In that case, strife usually springs from a quarrelsome temper, and contention from, a selfish spirit which seeks its own aggrandizement, or is fearful lest others should obtain too much. Strife has more reference to the manner than to the object of a struggle, while contention takes more account of the end to be gained. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. contentiosus: cf. F. contentieux. ] 1. Fond of contention; given to angry debate; provoking dispute or contention; quarrelsome. [ 1913 Webster ]

Despotic and contentious temper. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Relating to contention or strife; involving or characterized by contention. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

More cheerful, though not less contentious, regions. Brougham. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Law) Contested; litigated; litigious; having power to decide controversy. [ 1913 Webster ]

Contentious jurisdiction (Eng. Eccl. Law), jurisdiction over matters in controversy between parties, in contradistinction to voluntary jurisdiction, or that exercised upon matters not opposed or controverted.

Syn. -- Quarrelsome; pugnacious; dissentious; wrangling; litigious; perverse; peevish.

-- Con*ten"tious*ly, adv. -- Con*ten"tious*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Content + -less. ] Discontented; dissatisfied. [ R. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a contented manner. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. contentement. See Content, v. t. ] 1. The state of being contented or satisfied; content. [ 1913 Webster ]

Contentment without external honor is humility. Grew. [ 1913 Webster ]

Godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Tim. vi. 6. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The act or process of contenting or satisfying; as, the contentment of avarice is impossible. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Gratification; pleasure; satisfaction. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

At Paris the prince spent one whole day to give his mind some contentment in viewing of a famous city. Sir H. Wotton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. pl. See Content, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. cunctipotens; cunctus all + potens powerful. ] All-powerful; omnipotent. [ R ] “God cunctipotent.” Neale (Trans. Rhythm of St. Bernard). [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. détente, fr. détendre to unbend, relax; pref. dé- (L. dis- or de) + tendre to stretch. See Distend. ] (Mech.) That which locks or unlocks a movement; a catch, pawl, or dog; especially, in clockwork, the catch which locks and unlocks the wheelwork in striking. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. the easing of tensions or strained relations (especially between nations), as by agreement, negotiation, or tacit understandings. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

n. [ L. detentio: cf. F. détention. See Detain. ] 1. The act of detaining or keeping back; a withholding. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The state of being detained (stopped or hindered); delay from necessity. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Confinement; restraint; custody. [ 1913 Webster ]

The archduke Philip . . . found himself in a sort of honorable detention at Henry's court. Hallam. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Not content; discontented; dissatisfied. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

Passion seemed to be much discontent, but Patience was very quiet. Bunyan. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Discontented; p. pr. & vb. n. Discontenting. ] To deprive of content; to make uneasy; to dissatisfy. Suckling. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. Want of content; uneasiness and inquietude of mind; dissatisfaction; disquiet. [ 1913 Webster ]

Now is the winter of our discontent
Made glorious summer by this sun of York. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

The rapacity of his father's administration had excited such universal discontent. Hallam [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A discontented person; a malcontent. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Thus was the Scotch nation full of discontents. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Discontent. [ Obs. ] Ascham. [ 1913 Webster ]

p. p. & a. Dissatisfied; uneasy in mind; malcontent. [ 1913 Webster ]

And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him. 1 Sam. xxii. 2.

-- Dis`con*tent"ed*ly, adv. -- Dis`con*tent"ed*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Full of discontent. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Discontented. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Causing discontent; dissatisfying. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Relating or tending to discontent. [ R. ] “Pride is ever discontentive.” Feltham. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state of being discontented; uneasiness; inquietude. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. distentus, p. p. See Distend. ] Distended. [ Poetic ] Thomson. [ 1913 Webster ]