discontentn.1
/ˌdɪskənˈtɛnt/, U.S. /ˌdɪskənˈtɛnt/ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > displeasure > [noun]
unthankc893
ofthinkingc1225
displeasancec1340
grievancec1380
offencec1390
griefa1400
ill liking?a1400
mislikinga1400
displacencec1450
displeasure1484
displeasantness1547
discontentment1550
displeasedness1561
discontent1579
displicence1593
aggrievedness1594
disconceitc1598
distasture1611
displicency1640
disobligation1645
displacencya1652
affront1705
disobligement18..
unpleasure1814
misloving1871
unwill1872
displeasurement1882
1579 T. Churchyard Gen. Rehearsall Warres sig. h. ijv The Frenche and Scottes menne entered the Ilande againe, and recouered it to our greate discontent.
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning i. sig. I2v Some inward discontent, at the ingratitude of the times. View more context for this quotation
1678 N. Wanley Wonders Little World v. i. §81. 466/2 The Romans abused his servants, whereupon he departed Rome in great discontent.
1728 N. Tindal tr. P. Rapin de Thoyras Hist. Eng. VI. xiii. 33 This Affair created between the Father and Son a Quarrel which the Favourites took Care to foment, so that in the End the Earl in great Discontent withdrew into Holland.
2.
a. The fact or condition of being dissatisfied with one's circumstances; lack of contentment; (in later use frequently) spec. general dissatisfaction with existing social or political conditions. Cf. discontentment n. 2a.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > displeasure > discontent or dissatisfaction > [noun]
unlikinga1398
aggrudging1440
grudge1477
miscontenting1495
murmurheada1500
discontentation?1510
discontentinga1513
miscontentationa1530
miscontentment1535
insatisfaction1568
discontentment1572
discontent1581
malcontentment1587
miscontent1588
discontentedness1589
malcontent1591
malcontentedness1592
repine1593
bad satisfaction1607
dissatisfaction1640
unsatisfactoriness1643
unsatisfiedness1646
uncontentedness1654
disaffection1697
dissatisfiedness1710
chagrin1717
repinement1743
malcontentism1813
soreheadedness1860
uncontent1873
1581 H. Chillester Youthes Witte 121 Loue I cannot choose but leeke, but lyking lookes, and lacke breedes discontent.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III i. i. 1 Now is the winter of our discontent, Made glorious summer by this sonne of Yorke. View more context for this quotation
1636 S. Rogers Diary 15 Aug. (2004) 67 I wanse away my time with discontent, and unbeleiving pensivenes, and care.
1660 G. Newton Expos. John 17th 347 The Lords people who..waste away their hearts in pleasing sadness and affected discontent.
1702 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion I. i. 60 The Country full of pride, mutiny, and discontent.
1797 A. Radcliffe Italian I. vi. 153 Habitual discontent had fixed the furrows of their cheeks.
1839 T. Carlyle Chartism i. 2 What means this bitter discontent of the Working Classes?
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. i. 2 That feeling of intellectual discontent which..is very useful as a stimulant.
1928 E. A. Powell Embattled Borders ii. 33 The discontent of the workers was steadily increasing.
1977 K. E. Woodiwiss Shanna 234 Finding no ease from her discontent, she sat silent before the dressing table.
2004 Foreign Policy July 82/3 The energy war was a moment of awakening, with the population communicating its discontent via Internet blogs, pamphlets, [etc.].
b. A feeling or episode of dissatisfaction; esp. a general feeling of dissatisfaction with existing social or political conditions among the members of a society or community. Cf. discontentment n. 2b.
ΚΠ
1585 T. Bilson True Difference Christian Subiection iii. 476 Your generall debarring of diuine seruice throughout a Realme, was nothing else but an Antichristian Policie to set the people in a discontent.
1594 W. Shakespeare Titus Andronicus i. i. 440 Dissemble all your griefes and discontents . View more context for this quotation
1608 T. Middleton Famelie of Love ii. i. sig. C3 A discontent indeed Master Doctor, which to shake off, J must haue you extend your Art to the vtmost bounds.
1659 J. Rushworth Hist. Coll. 662 The discontents of the common people..were heightened against the powerful men at Court.
1724 J. Swift Drapier's Let. VI in Wks. (1735) IV. 200 It would..either prevent or silence all Discontents.
1753 E. Haywood Hist. Jemmy & Jenny Jessamy III. xii. 111 The post not bringing her a letter as she expected, some part of her former discontents began to revive in her.
1802 Monthly Mag. Dec. 547/1 He has increased the discontents of the people by an attempt to augment the army by the oppressive system of conscription.
1896 Pop. Sci. Monthly Aug. 490 We want to create in them a discontent with partial, secondary, minor ends.
1921 M. C. Banning Half Loaves xxv. 253 The price of food and fuel had soared, fanning into a flame of irritation the discontents which were always smoldering.
1960 J. V. L. Casserley Christian Community v. 121 A discontent with the protestant systems and with the way in which they ringed round and hedged in the basic Reformation protest with a narrowing and circumscribing wall of negation.
1997 D. Forgacs in G. Holmes Oxf. Hist. Italy 314 The effects of all these tensions and discontents were to be seen in the social protests of the period 1967-72.
3. A cause of dissatisfaction; a grievance. Cf. discontentment n. 3.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > anger > indignation or resentment > [noun] > cause of indignation or resentment
discontentation1573
discontentment1580
discontent1588
gravamen1647
1588 G. Babington Profitable Expos. Lords Prayer iii. 265 Al our contents are as nothing to vs, because of that one discontent.
1596 T. Nashe Haue with you to Saffron-Walden sig. O2v Tut man, mony would he say, is that your discontent?
1620 S. Rowlands Night-raven 25 An ill Liuer is my discontent.
1646 T. Edwards 3rd Pt. Gangræna 84 The Lad taketh it to heart he should be so abused by her, and that it may be a discontent to him for ever during his life.
1738 Bayle's Hist. & Crit. Dict. (ed. 2) V. 276 The restoration of the peace, the regret of having lost a wife,..and some other discontents,..brought our Tabor to the country of Mecklemburgh.
1841 J. Wills Lives of Illustrious & Distinguished Irishmen I. ii. 293 A chief discontent was his preventing them from indiscriminate plunder.
1878 W. M. Torrens Mem. Viscount Melbourne II. iv. 114 Durham had long set his heart upon the Secretaryship of State, and one of his discontents with his father-in-law was that he had not in this respect promoted his views.
1905 E. Brooke Susan wooed & Susan Won iv. 25 Mrs. Wallwood's chief discontent was that her husband kept some of those keys in his possession which, by..universal custom, are placed in the custody of the mistress of the house.
1994 D. Watson in Parallel Views 160 The main discontent..was that they did not ‘like’ their salaries or their chances for promotions.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2013; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
discontentadj.n.2
/ˌdɪskənˈtɛnt/, U.S. /ˌdɪskənˈtɛnt/ A. adj.† 2. Greatly displeased; indignant. Cf. discontented adj. 1. Obsolete.
1. Not content; dissatisfied; = discontented adj. 2. Also with with, †in, to do something. Now somewhat archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > displeasure > discontent or dissatisfaction > [adjective]
unsaught?a1300
unsetea1350
unrestfulc1384
unsatisfiedc1430
discontentc1475
ill content1477
miscontent?1499
uncontentc1503
orpita1525
discontented1531
miscontenteda1533
evil contented1548
repining1565
uncontented1568
unpacified1570
discontentive1578
malcontent1578
ill-contented1582
malcontented1582
unmollified1587
unappeased1594
discontentful1604
discontenting1605
contentlessa1616
ungratifieda1625
insatisfied1643
unsatisfieda1648
unsoothed1648
repineful1655
dissatisfied1675
satisfactionless1841
sore-headed1844
disgruntled1847
sore-head1862
choked1950
dischuffed1975
c1475 (?a1440) B. Burgh Distichs of Cato (Rawl. C.48) l. 1053 in Archiv f. das Studium der Neueren Sprachen (1906) 116 30 (MED) With thi fortune whan thou art discontent.
1563 J. Foxe Actes & Monuments 1313/1 Euer geuynge thankes to their lorde god,..discontent with nothyng that he doth.
1568 in J. Small Poems W. Dunbar (1893) II. 312 He that wantis ane of thir thre, Ane luvar glaid may neuir be, Bot ay in sum thing discontent.
1618 S. Garey Cæsaris Hostes in Great Brittans Little Cal. 109 One world is not enough for Alexander, and therefore he weepes, and is discontent.
1650 Bp. J. Taylor Rule & Exercises Holy Living ii. §6. 146 He..is discontent and troubled when he fails.
1724 A. Ramsay Tea-table Misc. (1733) I. 68 Tho' ilka ane be discontent, Awa' wi' her I'll gae.
1780 W. Tooke tr. J. G. Georgi Russia II. 356 A divorce takes place without any formal process, whenever either of them becomes discontent with their condition.
1845 M. Pattison in Christian Remembrancer Jan. 83 He..withdrew disconcerted and discontent.
1863 A. W. Kinglake Invasion of Crimea II. xvi. 418 Moving slowly, and as though discontent with its fate, the column began to fall back.
1911 Pop. Sci. Monthly Feb. 111 He is discontent to remain ignorant; his mind is alert to find hidden meanings, just as his eyes are watchful to see visible features.
1975 S. Selvon Moses Ascending 141 Jeannie was discontent with the accommodation they had.
2004 B. Lamb Booknotes on Amer. Char. 485 He didn't feel that being in business gave him much justification for living. He was discontent.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > displeasure > [adjective]
loatha1250
unfain1338
ill-liking?a1400
sourc1450
unpleaseda1475
displeasant1485
discontentc1500
discontenteda1513
displeased1581
aggrieved1590
misapaid1614
unrelished1620
injured1634
misliked1641
undelighted1667
uneasya1715
untickled1736
uncharmed1757
disagreeable?c1785
displacent1859
chuffed1960
c1500 Quare of Jelusy 164 To say the thing sall mak thame discontent.
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. v. f. vii Lotrynus 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.
a1533 J. Frith Against Rastel (?1535–6) sig. Biv Be not discontent wyth me if I ask you one questyon.
1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1888) I. 169 Hadrian heiring this, was woundir discontent.
1655 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. I. i. 103 Discontent That such grave men should on the stage be brought!
B. n.2
A person who is discontented and inclined to resistance or rebellion; a malcontent. Later also in weakened sense: a dissatisfied person.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > displeasure > discontent or dissatisfaction > [noun] > discontented person
malcontent1575
discontent1598
discontenteea1734
non-con1790
non-content1830
Frondeur1847
sore-head1848
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 v. i. 76 Fickle changlings and poore discontents . View more context for this quotation
1653 D. Osborne Lett. to Sir W. Temple (2002) 147 You would not have bin taken for a discontent.
1695 W. Temple Introd. Hist. Eng. 83 Having..overthrown his Brother and his Army of Strangers or Discontents.
1779 J. Strutt Chron. Eng. II. i. 41 Æthelwald..laid a claim to the crown of Wessex, and, being assisted by a strong party of discontents, broke out into open rebellion.
1832 Edinb. Encycl. (U.S. ed.) VIII. 427/1 At the head of the discontents were the Earls of Hereford and Norfolk.
1872 E. A. Freeman Gen. Sketch European Hist. (1874) xiii. §2. 238 There had all along been religious discontents among particular men.
1921 Forum Aug. 149 The rank and file are made up of discontents who air their grievances with the world in general and the Government in particular at every meeting.
2006 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 18 Sept. b6/5 An ensemble of sad sacks and discontents in their late 20's.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2013; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
discontentv.
/ˌdɪskənˈtɛnt/, U.S. /ˌdɪskənˈtɛnt/ Now somewhat archaic.† 1. transitive. To displease greatly; to make angrily indignant. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > displeasure > be displeased with [verb (transitive)] > displease
mislikeeOE
ofthinkeOE
misquemeOE
likec1175
forthinka1225
mispay?c1225
annoyc1300
there glads (also gains, games) him no gleec1300
unpay1340
offenda1382
to be displeasedc1386
to step or tread on the toes ofc1394
mispleasea1400
unlikea1425
edgec1450
injurea1492
discontenta1513
disdain1530
to set (a person's) teeth on edge1535
displeasure1541
mis-set?1553
dislike1578
to tread on any one's heels or toes1710
flisk1792
unentrance1834
to tread on any one's cornsa1855
umbragea1894
a1513 [implied in: R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. lxxvi. f. xxx With which answere the Romaynes beynge sore discontented, made newe warre vpon ye sayd Sicambris. (at discontented adj. 1)].
1516 Kalendre Newe Legende Eng. (Pynson) f. lxxxii He made the sygne of the Crosse knowynge verayly that if it were a good Aungell it wold nat discontent hym and if it were a wycked spirite he myght nat abyde it.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 518/1 I discontent, I displease, je mescontente. I have served you well all my lyfe, and never discontented you by my good wyll.
1632 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Eromena 118 Which as much contented the people, as it madded and discontented my husband.
1648 W. Prynne Publike Declar. against Grievance of Free-quarter 9 Lest they so farre discontent and enrage us so farre, as to fall a quartering of them in good earnest.
1699 J. Shipton tr. N. Malebranche Treat. Morality ii. xii. 166 When the Head stoops too low, the Members despise him, and he cannot raise himself up again, without angring and discontenting them.
1878 R. Simpson School of Shakspere I. 75 The Queen used to beat Secretary Cecil about the ears when he discontented her.
2. transitive. To make discontented; to dissatisfy.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > displeasure > discontent or dissatisfaction > be discontented about [verb (transitive)] > make discontented or dissatisfy
miscontentc1500
discontent1549
heart-burn?c1550
unsatisfy1652
dissatisfy1666
1549 M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. II. 1 Cor. iv. f. xii Thou..that..discontenteste thy selfe, because of the counterfaycte glorye of hym, of whom thou haste receyued baptisme.
1591 H. Unton Corr. (1847) 100 The French manner of incamping dothe discontente me moste.
1623 H. Hexham Tongue-combat 22 All these pressures were vpon purpose cast vpon the people to discontent them.
1669 S. Pepys Diary 14 Mar. (1976) IX. 248 So fearful I am of discontenting my wife.
1794 G. Washington Let. in Writings (1891) XII. 451 Attempts to discontent the public mind.
1840 Penny Sunday Reader 13 Sept. 172 The damsel had pleased him in her dance; he would not discontent her in breaking his word.
1887 Pall Mall Gaz. 23 Mar. 4/1 The Ameer..is discontenting his troops by paying them in provisions instead of in cash.
1906 F. W. Dawson Scar (ed. 2) xvi. 147 There were dark shadows under her eyes which discontented her.
2006 M. Moran & M. Sceurman Weird N.J. II. 30/2 Only one man, a member of the mob, sank. The other three floated on the surface of the water. This baffled and discontented the crowd.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2013; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.11579
adj.n.2c1475v.a1513