| 释义 |
▪ I. discontent, n.1|dɪskənˈtɛnt|
[f. dis- 9 + content n., after the vb. and adj.: cf. It. scontento for discontento discontentment (Florio 1598).]
1. The state or condition of being discontented; want of content; dissatisfaction of mind: the opposite of content or contentment.
1591Spenser M. Hubberd 898 To wast long nights in pensive discontent. 1594Shakes. Rich. III, i. i. 1 Now is the Winter of our Discontent Made glorious Summer by this Son of Yorke. 1647Clarendon Hist. Reb. i. (1843) 31/2 The country full of pride, mutiny, and discontent. 1720Gay Poems (1745) I. 54 Lose not in sullen discontent your peace. 1839Carlyle Chartism i. (1858) 4 What means the bitter discontent of the Working Classes? 1860Tyndall Glac. i. i. 2 That feeling of intellectual discontent which..is very useful as a stimulant.
†b. Formerly sometimes in stronger sense: Displeasure, vexation. Obs.
1605Bacon Adv. Learn. i. vii. §4 (1873) 54 Some inward discontent at the ingratitude of the times. 1678Wanley Wond. Lit. World v. i. §81. 466/2 The Romans abused his servants, whereupon he departed Rome in great discontent.
c. (with pl.) A feeling of discontent or dissatisfaction.
1588Shakes. Tit. A. i. i. 443 Dissemble all your griefes and discontents. 1659Rushw. Hist. Coll. I. 662 The discontents of the common people..were heightened against the powerful men at Court. a1745Swift Wks. (1841) II. 37 It would..either prevent or silence all discontents. 1845McCulloch Taxation iii. i. (1852) 430/1 The means of traducing the new government, of inflaming popular discontents.
†2. transf. A cause or occasion of discontent or dissatisfaction; a grievance. (Usually in pl.) Obs.
1605Bacon Adv. Learn. i. vii. §9 (1873) 58 The good administration of justice..and the moderation of discontents. 1620Rowlands Night Raven 25 An ill Liuer is my discontent.
▪ II. disconˈtent, a. and n.2
[f. dis- 10 + content a.: cf. obs. F. descontent (Godef.), It. discontento (Florio).]
A. adj.
1. Not content; unquiet in mind through having one's desires unsatisfied or thwarted; dissatisfied, discontented. Const. with, to with inf.
1500–20Dunbar's Poems (1893) 312 He that wantis ane of thir thre, Ane luvar glaid may neuir be, Bot ay in sum thing discontent. a1555Latimer Serm. & Rem. (1845) 237 Ever giving thanks to their Lord God..discontent with nothing that he doth. 1651Jer. Taylor Holy Living (1727) 119 He..is discontent and troubled when he fails. 1724Ramsay Tea t. Misc. (1733) I. 68 Tho' ilka ane be discontent, Awa' wi' her I'll gae. 1845M. Pattison Ess. (1889) I. 25 He..withdrew disconcerted and discontent. 1863Kinglake Crimea II. 418 Moving slowly, and as though discontent with its fate, the column began to fall back.
†2. In stronger sense: Displeased, vexed. Obs.
1494Fabyan Chron. i. v. 12 Lotrinus enamowryd hym selfe vpon a fayre wenche named Estrilde..wherwith his wyfe..beynge sore discontent, excyted her fader and frendes to make warre vpon..her husbande. a1533Frith Another Bk. agst. Rastell (1829) 219 Be not discontent with me if I ask you one question. 1655Stanley Hist. Philos. i. (1701) 53/1 Discontent That such grave Men should on the stage be brought.
B. n.2 A discontented person or member of a body, a malcontent. Now rare.
1596Shakes. 1 Hen. IV, v. i. 76 Fickle Changelings, and poore Discontents. 1653D. Osborne Lett. to Temple (1888) 169 You would not have been taken for a discontent. 1695Temple Introd. Hist. Eng. (Seager) Having over⁓thrown his brother and his army of strangers or discontents. 1872Freeman Gen. Sketch xiii. §2 (1874) 238 There had all along been religious discontents among particular men. 1887Sir W. Harcourt in Scott. Leader 23 Nov. 5 What would he say to them?.. They are only Celts and Irish Papists, vulgar discontents, people who would like to have some voice in the management of their own affairs.
▪ III. disconˈtent, v.
[f. dis- 6 + content v.: cf. obs. F. descontent-er, -tant-er (16th c. in Godef.).]
1. trans. To deprive of contentment; to make unquiet in mind by failing or refusing to satisfy desire; to dissatisfy. (Now chiefly in pa. pple.: see discontented.)
1549Coverdale, etc. Erasm. Par. 1 Cor. xii. 13 Thou..that..discontenteste thy selfe, because of the counterfaycte glorye of hym, of whom thou haste receyued baptisme. 1591Sir H. Unton Corr. (Roxb.) 100 The French manner of incamping dothe discontente me moste. 1623Hexham Tongue-Combat 22 All these pressures were vpon purpose cast vpon the people to discontent them. 1666Pepys Diary (1879) VI. 21 So fearful I am of discontenting my wife. 1794G. Washington Lett. Writ. 1891 XII. 451 Attempts to discontent the public mind. 1887Pall Mall G. 23 Mar. 4/1 The Ameer..is discontenting his troops by paying them in provisions instead of in cash.
†2. In stronger sense: To displease, vex. Obs. or arch. (See also discontented 2.)
1494[see discontented 2]. 1530Palsgr. 518/1, I discontent, I displease, je mescontente. I have served you well all my lyfe, and never discontented you by my good wyll. 1632J. Hayward tr. Biondi's Eromena 118 Which as much contented the people, as it madded and discontented my husband. 1878Simpson Sch. Shaks. I. 75 The Queen used to beat Secretary Cecil about the ears when he discontented her. |