contents
contents Lexical Profile
contents Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The physical things, items, or substances that are held or enclosed inside a container, receptacle, room, or space.
"The customs officer asked the traveler to empty the entire contents of his suitcase onto the inspection table."
A sequential list of the chapters, sections, or topics covered in a book, journal, or document, usually printed at the beginning of the work.
"You can quickly locate the chapter on thermodynamics by checking the contents at the front of the textbook."
The subjects, ideas, or topics treated in a written work, speech, or document.
"The committee agreed to keep the contents of the confidential report strictly private until the investigation concluded."
• verb
To satisfy, please, or make someone peaceful and accepting of their circumstances (third-person singular simple present of content).
"A quiet evening reading by the fireplace completely contents him after a busy week at the university."
Word Nuance & Usage
As a noun meaning the physical items inside a container or the chapters in a book, the plural form 'contents' (stressed on the first syllable, CON-tents) is normally required, whereas the singular 'content' typically refers to the abstract subject matter, substance, or proportion of a constituent. As a verb meaning to satisfy ('it contents them'), the stress falls on the second syllable (con-TENTS).
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from Middle English via Medieval Latin contenta (literally 'things contained'), the neuter plural of contentus, which is the past participle of Latin continere ('to hold together, enclose'), from com- ('together') and tenere ('to hold').