satisfyv.
/ˈsatᵻsfʌɪ/, U.S. /ˈsædəsˌfaɪ/ I. With reference to feelings, needs, or requirements.
1.
a. transitive. To meet or fulfil (a desire, wish, expectation, etc.).
ΚΠ
1419 Guildhall Let.-bk. in R. W. Chambers & M. Daunt Bk. London Eng. (1931) 79 (MED) Gladder ne moor confortable tithinges might neuer haue come, nor in better tyme, for to satisfie and refresshe þe feruent desir of your poure lieges.
?a1425 tr. Catherine of Siena Orcherd of Syon (Harl.) (1966) 375 (MED) Now I haue satisfied þi desier of my prouydence, of þe which þou praiedist me þat I schulde prouyde to þe necessarie nede of my creaturis.
1533 T. Elyot Of Knowl. Wise Man i. f. 14 Than thou woldest that I shulde satisfie his desyre?
1570 J. Dee in H. Billingsley tr. Euclid Elements Geom. Math. Præf. sig. ☞v My sincere endeuour to satisfie your honest expectation.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) iii. i. 170 Do not satisfie your resolution with hopes that are fallible, to morrow you must die, goe to your knees, and make ready. View more context for this quotation
1645 Let. in Asiatic Jrnl. & Monthly Reg. (1836) 20 49 We rest in hope you will recollect your actions, and satisfy our just desires.
1717 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. 1 Apr. (1965) I. 333 I have it in my power to satisfy your Curiosity.
1763 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Painting III. App. sig. Qq2v To satisfy their natural impatience, he formed a hasty manner that prejudiced his works and reputation.
1828 C. Lamb Old Margate Hoy in Elia 2nd Ser. 35 The incapacity of actual objects for satisfying our preconceptions of them.
1871 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (1876) IV. xviii. 215 A few names awaken curiosity without satisfying it.
1908 Jrnl. Philos., Psychol. & Sci. Methods 5 569 When we conceive and attempt to carry out a purpose, to satisfy some interest other than the mere exercise of discussive thought.
1955 Times 15 July 9/6 The universities will probably be able to satisfy most of the demand for full-time degree-courses.
2018 Sun (Nigeria) (Nexis) 6 Feb. It was naturally impossible to meet or satisfy those expectations in a short period of time.
b. transitive. To meet or fulfil the desire, wish, or expectation of; to be accepted by (a person, his or her judgement, etc.) as all that can be reasonably desired; to content.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > contentment or satisfaction > be content or satisfied with [verb (transitive)] > content or satisfy
paya1200
apaya1250
pleasec1350
assythc1375
savourc1390
filsen?a1425
satisfy?a1425
sufficec1430
satify1434
applease1470
content1477
assethe1481
appetite1509
syth1513
satisfice?1531
gratify1569
gree1570
explenish1573
promerit1582
accommodate1624
placentiate1694
?a1425 tr. Catherine of Siena Orcherd of Syon (Harl.) (1966) 296 (MED) Hem seemeth it is riȝt needful for to satisfye þe peple for to sey masse, notwiþstondynge þe peple consydereth her wickidnesse.
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) xiv. 348 And yf this can not satysfye your mynde, I shall doo yet more, Playseth it to you for to pardonne my bredern, and I shall forswere Fraunce for evermore.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) ii. iii. sig. P5 These two young Princes to satisfie the king [who had sent for them], tooke their way by sea, towards Thrace.
1611 Bible (King James) Psalms lxiii. 3 My soule shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatnesse.
1652 tr. Choice Novels & Amarous Tales viii. 149, sig. L3 Gelasio enjoyed Aleria, who at the same time garded her mistris, satisfied her master, and recreated her self.
1764 O. Goldsmith Traveller 9 The sports of children satisfy the child.
1785 W. Cowper Task i. 199 Nature inanimate employs sweet sounds,..To sooth and satisfy the human ear.
1841 C. Dickens Barnaby Rudge x. 290 ‘It's well I am easily satisfied,’ returned the other with a smile.
1878 R. W. Dale Lect. Preaching (ed. 3) iii. 68 The theological creed of the Church to which they belong satisfies them perfectly.
1907 F. P. Verney & M. M. Verney Mem. Verney Family 17th Cent. (ed. 2 reissued) II. 237 When her daughter was born nothing would satisfy Lady Abdy but that Sir Ralph should stand sponsor.
1954 Aviation Week 25 Jan. 39/1 The cabin crew, by assuming roles as hosts and hostesses, work together to satisfy the customer.
2013 Ottawa Citizen (Nexis) 18 June (Arts & Life section) 6 [It] was never going to make him rich and famous. It has satisfied him enormously, though.
c. transitive (reflexive). To content oneself (with something). Formerly also: †to consider it sufficient to do something (obsolete).In quot. 1719: to bring or persuade oneself to do something distasteful.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > contentment or satisfaction > be contented [verb (reflexive)] > make oneself contented or satisfied
wreak1377
suffice1484
please1533
satisfy1542
the mind > emotion > pleasure > contentment or satisfaction > be contented [verb (reflexive)] > content oneself with doing
satisfy1542
the mind > will > motivation > persuasion > persuade [verb (reflexive)]
satisfy1719
1542 N. Udall in tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes To Rdr sig. *iiv Whoso careth not for the Latine maye passe it ouer and satisfie hymself with the Englyshe.
1611 M. Smith in Bible (King James) Transl. Pref. ⁋11 Ioash the king of Israel did not satisfie himselfe, till he had smitten the ground three times.
1660 F. Brooke tr. V. Le Blanc World Surveyed 2 I..shall satisfie my self for the present to tell you, that..we sailed happily for some few dayes.
1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 128 Nor could I satisfy my self to eat them, tho' I kill'd several.
1782 F. Burney Cecilia IV. viii. vii. 293 Mr. Delvile, should he find a daughter-in-law descended..from Egbert,..won't be so well off as if he had satisfied himself with you.
1837 H. Smith Let. 2 Oct. in A. Mathews Mem. C. Mathews (1839) IV. xviii. 447 While others satisfied themselves with endeavouring to embody their originals, he made it his study to mentalize them.
1857 Jrnl. Soc. Arts 6 Feb. 176/2 They rarely calculate their means,..and satisfy themselves with quantity rather than quality.
1907 Monist 17 395 On the present occasion time will not permit to review every passage in detail, and I must satisfy myself to call attention to the most salient points.
1947 Proc. Mass. Hist. Soc. 68 378 Quincy did not satisfy himself with abolition only, but espoused the causes of woman suffrage, temperance, and nonresistance.
2006 Daily Tel. (Nexis) 14 Nov. (Sport section) 4 Rather than chasing the Premiership, they now had to satisfy themselves with the less lofty ambition of a place in the Champions League.
2. transitive. To answer sufficiently (an objection, a question, etc.); to fulfil or comply with (a request). Also: to banish or overcome (a doubt).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > answer > answer [verb (transitive)] > sufficiently
satisfyc1454
resolve1586
c1454 R. Pecock Folewer to Donet 21 (MED) Þyn askyng is so honest..þat y wole seche my wittis, þi questioun to satisfie.
c1475 tr. C. de Pisan Livre du Corps de Policie (Cambr.) (1977) 84 (MED) He founde a remedye to satisfye his comaundement.
1547 W. Baldwin Treat. Morall Phylos. i. i. sig. A.iv It shalbe harde for a man of our tyme..fully herein to satisfye their question.
1581 G. Pettie tr. S. Guazzo Ciuile Conuersat. (1586) ii. f. 108 If I should throughlie satisfie [Fr. satisfaire] your request, this daie would not be inough to doe it.
a1626 F. Bacon New Atlantis (1626) 10 And I shall gladly, and briefly, satisfie your demaund.
1650 T. Fuller Pisgah-sight of Palestine iii. 420 Many shrewd objections may be alleadged to the contrary, which we shall endevour to satisfie in order.
1703 J. Kelsey Serm. 68 God was pleased to talk with them Face to Face, and other ways, to satisfy their Doubts, encourage their weakness.
1765 H. Walpole Castle of Otranto v. 173 Thou hast not satisfied my question.
1834 J. H. Newman Parochial Serm. I. xviii. 264 Revelation was not given us to satisfy doubts, but to make us better men.
1862 H. Spencer First Princ. i. i. §4. 16 They are liable to forget that information, however extensive it may become, can never satisfy inquiry.
1947 Economist 24 May 798/1 Reconstructing material from my firm's records in order to satisfy the questions of the Chief Statistical Officer.
2017 Yorks. Post (Nexis) 10 Oct. The plan for a Leeds City Region deal was blocked by the Government to satisfy the objections of Conservative MPs.
3.
a. transitive. To put an end to (an appetite, a want, a need) by fully supplying or meeting it; to cause (a person) to have enough of something; to supply or meet fully the needs of.In quot. a1616 probably with sexual innuendo; cf. sense 3b.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > [verb (transitive)] > satisfy (needs or desires)
sleckc1175
stanch1340
fulfilc1384
satiatec1450
satisfyc1475
slockc1480
expletea1500
supplya1513
satisfice?1531
suffice1533
stake1550
to fill up1600
c1475 (c1445) R. Pecock Donet (1921) 48 (MED) Forto satisfie his owne wery and perilose birþen of lust.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) xxii. 66 Yf he were in the gretest famyn.., he sholde be satysfied as well as though he had eten al that he wolde wysshe for.
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie iv. xv. 129 b They cannot satisfie them of the pleasure which is there.
1594 W. Shakespeare Titus Andronicus ii. iii. 180 So should I rob my sweet sonnes of their fee, No let them satisfiee their lust on thee. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) v. ii. 109 I will satisfie you if euer I satisfi'd man, and you shall bee married to morrow.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost x. 991 So Death shall be deceav'd his glut, and with us two Be forc'd to satisfie his Rav'nous Maw. View more context for this quotation
1719 G. London & H. Wise J. de la Quintinie's Compl. Gard'ner (ed. 7) 283 Green Peas are ready to satisfie the longing Appetite of the likerish Palate.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones III. vii. xi. 83 Having now pretty well satisfied their Thirst, nothing remained but to pay the Reckoning.
1800 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 4 209 He takes a great deal of food without being satisfied.
c1900 ‘C. Deveureux’ Venus in India (new ed.) II. 89 Mrs. Soubratie satisfied his every want regularly.
1952 W. J. H. Sprott Social Psychol. 221 Every society must provide means of satisfying the basic needs of its members.
2015 Green Parent Apr. 38/1 Given her sweet tooth, Olivia sought ways to satisfy her cravings without all the deleterious effects of sugar.
b. transitive. To meet the sexual needs of (a person), to gratify sexually; esp. to bring (a woman) to orgasm.Compare earlier quot. a1616 at sense 3a, and the note at that sense.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > engage in sexual activity with [verb (transitive)] > gratify sexually
servea1400
pleasure1556
satisfy1852
1852 H. K. Root People's Med. Lighthouse 145 A woman can never be satisfied with a man who has no electric semen pass to electrify her; nor can a man be satisfied, either by masturbation or with the other sex, unless he has an electric emission of the semen.
1895 C. G. Chaddock tr. A. von Schrenck-Notzing Therapeutic Suggestion in Psychopathia Sexualis vi. 102 Married three years and loving his wife, he has never been able to satisfy her.
1964 P. Kronhausen & E. Kronhausen Sexually Responsive Woman x. 146 He needs sex sooner after I have satisfied him manually or performed fellatio on him than if he has complete intercourse.
2008 Sunday Sun Herald (Austral.) (Nexis) 2 Mar. 112 Most blokes want to satisfy their partner, but often miss the mark. The female orgasm is rocket science.
4. intransitive. To bring about or give satisfaction or contentment; (also) to supply or meet fully an appetite or want.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > contentment or satisfaction > be contented or satisfied [verb (intransitive)] > give contentment or satisfaction
to make or do asseth1340
satisfya1513
syth1513
satiate1645
to hit (also go to, touch, etc.) the spot1836
a1513 H. Bradshaw Lyfe St. Radegunde (c1525) Prol. sig. a.iiii And take this poore dede, of no presumpcion Nor done for vauntage,..But alonly to content theyr mynde and satisfy Where they knowe well my insufficience.
1600 Chester Pl. Proëm 44 If the same be likeinge to the comons all, then our desier is to satisfie—for that is all our game.
1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre v. xxvi. 273 These are enough to satisfy, more would cloy.
1695 J. Collier Misc. upon Moral Subj. 44 The Advantages of Life..will not hold out to the Length of Desire. And since they are not big enough to satisfy, they should not be big enough to dissatisfy.
1716 J. Digby tr. A. de Wicquefort Embassador & his Functions i. i. 4/2 Nothing more can be requir'd of an Embassador, who nevertheless cannot always satisfy with outward Appearance.
1795 C. Este Journ. Flanders, Brabant, & Germany 331 Though poplars, they seem in some sort to satisfy by their plentitude and uniformity.
1831 Westm. Rev. Jan. 243 What would have satisfied from the Duke will not satisfy from Lord Grey.
1857 North Amer. Rev. July 261 Where he invents, he is charming; but where he borrows other men's inventions, or uses historical facts, he fails to satisfy.
1903 Heart of Heretic vi. 33 The first and last need of an aspect of religious truth is that it shall satisfy.
1953 Post-Standard (Syracuse, N.Y.) 25 Feb. 13/5 Everything on the menu was designed to tempt the palate, tickle the senses, yet satisfy without satiating.
2004 P. J. Conradi Going Buddhist 36 A potent image of consumerism, the neverending pursuit of ‘durables’ that cannot deeply satisfy.
5. To provide (a person, a person's mind, etc.) with adequate or convincing proof or information; to free from doubt or uncertainty; to assure, convince.
a.
(a) transitive with simple object.In quot. 1605 intransitive.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > belief, trust, confidence > act of convincing, conviction > bring to belief, convince [verb (transitive)]
persuadec1450
ensurec1500
satisfyc1520
convict1583
forcea1586
move1590
possess1591
secure1602
confirm1607
convince1609
convince1632
induce1655
prepossessa1676
coax1676
c1520 M. Nisbet New Test. in Scots (1901) I. Matt. 6 The angell satisffijs Josephs mynd.
1579 W. Wilkinson Confut. Familye of Loue f. 9v Although the place..be verbatim and word for word as I alledged it, yet will he not be satisfied.
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning ii. sig. Qq3v Methodes are more fit to winne Consent; or beleefe; but lesse fit to point to Action; for they carrie a kinde of Demonstration in Orbe or Circle, one part illuminating another; and therefore satisfie . View more context for this quotation
1611 M. Smith in Bible (King James) Transl. Pref. ⁋8 If any doubt hereof, he may be satisfied by examples enough.
1643 Sir T. Browne Religio Medici (authorized ed.) i. §10 Where I cannot satisfy my reason, I love to humour my fancy. View more context for this quotation
1727 Suppl. 2nd Ed. of Case of John Simson 30 The professor had refused to satisfy the presbytery of Glasgow when queried by them anent this.
1771 E. Burke Corr. (1844) I. 275 All I can do is, to satisfy you, and to leave you to satisfy those whom you think worthy of being informed.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. vi. 119 These expressions were far from satisfying the Chancellor.
1916 J. A. Ballantine Law Dict. 456/2 Such proof as will satisfy an unprejudiced mind beyond a reasonable doubt.
1979 J. L. Heilbron Electr. 17th & 18th Cents. ii. vii. 220 The empirical evidence did not satisfy him.
2018 Times (Nexis) 10 Jan. 22 The Department of Housing have declared there is no evidence that people are..‘gaming the system’, but what evidence would satisfy them?
(b) transitive (reflexive).
ΚΠ
1533 T. More Debellacyon Salem & Bizance ii. xx. f. cxliiiiv Thys is hys owne exposicyon of his owne wordes, whyche he wolde haue taken for so playne, that he is angry with me that I could not spye it, and so satysfye my selfe before.
1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta Nat. & Morall Hist. Indies iii. xiv. 162 For to satisfy my selfe vpon this point and question, I demaunded particularly of the said Pilot, how he found the tides in the straight.
1709 G. Berkeley Ess. New Theory of Vision §31. 31 Which is the very matter of Fact, as any one that pleases may easily satisfie himself by Experiment.
1822 R. Southey in Q. Rev. 27 2 Whether she was the object of his first love is a point concerning which..biographers have not been able to satisfy themselves.
1963 J. Lyons Struct. Semantics iv. 76 The linguist can satisfy himself..by going around and exasperating several tobacconists with his ‘informant-technique’.
2009 G. Shaviv Life of Stars iv. 121 Eddington satisfied himself by showing that the total luminosity of a gaseous star is independent of its stage of evolution and depends only on its mass.
b. transitive. With of, †in, indicating the thing about which proof is given or of which a person is convinced.
ΚΠ
?1555 M. Coverdale tr. O. Werdmuller Frutefull, Piththye & Learned Treat. iii. i. 195 Ought we to bee satisfied in this, that god is gracious and fauourable vnto vs.
1587 R. Hakluyt tr. R. de Laudonnière Notable Hist. Foure Voy. Florida Pref. sig. Av That the kings maiestie..shall in parte be satisfied of the diligence which I haue vsed in his seruice.
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice v. i. 296 I am sure you are not satisfied of these euents at full. View more context for this quotation
1663 S. Patrick Parable of Pilgrim (1668) xxxvi. 461 The Young man..soon satisfied himself in the truth of what he said.
1690 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding ii. i. 42 This I would willingly be satisfied in.
1736 Bp. J. Butler Analogy of Relig. Advert. No one can..be satisfied of the contrary.
1824 Jackson's Oxf. Jrnl. 10 Jan. Such evidence he verily believed he should be able to adduce, which would not fail to satisfy their minds of the guilt of the parties accused.
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People iii. §7. 154 A glance satisfied him of the hopelessness of the struggle.
1910 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 16 Apr. 970/2 Two justices, on the application of the local authority, and on being satisfied of the necessity for removal, may make an order for the removal.
1971 Internat. Organization 25 853 Enough evidence exists in international organizations to satisfy us of the theory's relevance.
2000 N. Rescher Inq. Dynamics iii. 31 Supposing such a thing to be true, what is the kind of proof which I ought to demand to satisfy me of its truth?
c.
(a) transitive with clause as complement, expressing the thing about which proof is given or of which a person is convinced.
ΚΠ
1565 W. Alley Πτωχομυσεῖον ii. sig. 5v This reason ought to suffice and satisfie vs..that there was none other scope to the lawe and the Prophetes, but Christe onely.
1621 H. Elsynge Notes Deb. House of Lords (1870) 32 Desyres to be satisfyed whether sylke may be so dyed or noe.
1662 J. Davies tr. A. Olearius Voy. & Trav. Ambassadors 205 Two good deep ditches built about with Free-stone, which satisfy'd us they were the ruins of an impregnable Fortress.
1700 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding (new ed.) iv. iii. 324 Arguments, which..may satisfy us that we can find no certainty on one side of the Question.
1758 S. Hayward Seventeen Serm. iv. 125 We are satisfyed the foundation upon which we build is safe.
1809 T. Jefferson Let. 10 Sept. in Papers (2004) Retirement Ser. I. 511 These [sc. teeth]..satisfy me this animal must have been arboriverous.
1884 Manch. Examiner 22 May 5/2 The success of the French at Sontay..had no doubt satisfied the Chinese that their troops were no match for those of France.
1904 Law Times 9 Nov. 276/2 The magistrates were of opinion that the appellant had not satisfied them that he had come lawfully by the deer.
1971 Sunday Express (Johannesburg) 28 Mar. 9/5 If a restricted person can satisfy me that he can obtain residence overseas..I cannot refuse his request for an exit permit.
2002 Times (Nexis) 21 Aug. 31 An applicant..for adjournment on medical grounds had to satisfy the tribunal that his inability to attend was legitimate.
(b) transitive (reflexive) with clause as complement, expressing the thing about which proof is given or of which a person is convinced.
ΚΠ
1577 M. Hanmer tr. Bp. Eusebius iii. xvii. in Aunc. Eccl. Hist. 457 We haue deuised these letters, as a salue for this mischief, which derogate nothing at all from the councell of Chalcedon, fully satisfyinge our selues that there was no noueltie established therein.
a1687 W. Petty Polit. Arithm. (1690) Pref. sig. a 3v Having satisfied myself, that the..Affairs of England are in no deplorable Condition.
1758 A. Reid tr. P. J. Macquer Elements Theory & Pract. Chym. I. 102 The only means we have of satisfying ourselves that we know all the principles which constitute a body.
1854 Med. Times & Gaz. 1 Apr. 326/2 After proper treatment, these inflammatory symptoms subsided; and..M. Jobert satisfied himself the fistula was almost entirely healed.
1915 Encycl. Relig. & Ethics VIII. 248/2 The tendency which W. E. Roth..calls thanatomania; namely, the suggestibility leading..to death on the part of one who satisfies himself that he is doomed.
1958 Morgantown (W. Va.) Post 13 Feb. 6/1 He had examined the files and satisfied himself..that the Eisenhower Administration is ‘honeycombed with political immorality’.
2008 C. Gomez Financial Markets, Inst. & Financial Services viii. 72 The issue house will have to satisfy itself that the company which wants to raise funds from the market is well managed.
6.
a. transitive. To answer the requirements of (a law, regulation, etc.); to accord with (a condition).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > suit or be suitable for [verb (transitive)] > be adequate for the case or conditions
fulfila1425
serve1445
satisfy1526
answer1581
fit1603
respond1677
meet1785
implement1857
to fill the bill1882
1526 W. Tyndale Prol. Epist. Rom. sig. bvj They that vnderstonde not the lawe on this wyse, are blynd, and goo to werke presumptuously, supposynge to satisfie the lawe wyth workes.
1583 A. Marten tr. P. M. Vermigli Common Places iii. xiii. 302/2 Legall promises, which haue a condition annexed; so as the promise is not due, vnlesse the lawe be most perfectlie satisfied.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan iii. xxxiv. 208 Where none of these can satisfie the sense of that word in Scripture.
1705 T. B. in H. Newcome Transubstant. Discuss'd i. 121 Nor would he think he satisfy'd the Law of Paying the Crown-Tax, if he paid only a Piece of Lead stamp'd with the Dye of a Crown.
a1754 J. Strange Rep. Cases (1755) 1 58 This man has fully satisfied the words of the act of Parliament.
1826 Natchez (Mississippi) Gaz. 25 Feb. To satisfy the conditions of the said deed of trust.
1855 A. Bain Senses & Intellect ii. iv. 575 When there are four or five different conditions to satisfy, the range of choice must be so much the wider.
?1956 W. Barclay Gospel of Matthew I. 129 The Jew aimed to satisfy the law of God; and to the demands of the law there is always a limit.
1985 Financial Times 31 Aug. (Weekend Suppl.) p. viii/8 A wine bearing an appellation contrôlée on its label is by no means necessarily good: it has simply satisfied the appropriate regulations.
2002 Police Rev. 2 Aug. 28/2 To constitute an attempted offence, the acts done must satisfy what is known as the ‘proximity test’.
b. transitive. To meet the requirements of (a theory, hypothesis, problem, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > efficacy > be efficacious for [verb (transitive)]
sufficec1325
satisfy1570
answer1615
1570 J. Dee in H. Billingsley tr. Euclid Elements Geom. xii. f. 382v Then, with the height, equall to the heigth of L reared vpon this last found circle, which let be T, as a base, you shall satisfie the Probleme.
1665 J. Glanvill Sciri Tuum: Authors Defense 47 in Scepsis Scientifica I have met an ingenious Account, among some excellent Geometricians of this Probleme, which perhaps may satisfie the difficulty.
1715 W. Whiston Astron. Lect. xxviii. 321 Let us now see what sort of Corrections have been adapted by the later Astronomers to this Hypothesis, that it might at the same time satisfy Geometrical Reasonings, and the Phænomena of the Planets.
1883 G. Chrystal in Encycl. Brit. XV. 244/1 The assumption of uniform magnetization will enable us to satisfy the law of induction. In point of fact, substituting..and transposing, we get three linear equations to determine A1, B1, C1 in terms of α0, β0, γ0.
1961 Physical Rev. Lett. 7 394/2 We may satisfy Feynman's principle therefore by postulating that all poles of the S matrix are of this type.
2009 G. Shaviv Life Stars v. 210 The equations for the ideal gas did in fact satisfy the laws of thermodynamics.
c. transitive. Mathematics. Of a known quantity: to fulfil the conditions of, or be an admissible solution of (an equation or relation).
ΚΠ
1728 tr. W. J. 's Gravesande Elements Universal Math. vii. 43 Two Values of x satisfy the Conditions of this Equation.
1878 H. P. Gurney Crystallogr. 25 Any three numbers which will satisfy this equation.
1964 B. V. Rollin Introd. Electronics iii. 41 Outside the beam the potential will satisfy the Laplace equation.
2015 R. S. Gupta Elements Numerical Anal. (ed. 2) iii. 106 A number α is said to be the root of an equation f(x) = 0, if it satisfies the equation.
d. transitive. Mathematical Logic. Of a model or interpretation: to make (a formula or set of formulae) true.
ΚΠ
1945 Jrnl. Symbolic Logic 10 13 This model satisfies all axioms of 𝕾 as well as the principle of simple ordering.
2006 G. Restall Logic x. 120 In a completed tree for X, there is some branch in which every formula is satisfied by an interpretation I.
II. With reference to debt or obligation.
7. † a. intransitive. To make atonement, reparation, or full payment. Frequently with for (occasionally †to), specifying the offence, wrongdoing, debt, sin, etc. Obsolete.† c. transitive. To make compensation or reparation for (a wrongdoing, injury); to atone for (an offence). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > righteousness or rectitude > reform, amendment, or correction > atonement > atone [verb (intransitive)]
abyelOE
amendc1330
to make or do asseth1340
to make a seth(e1387
make amends and sethec1420
satisfyc1425
byec1440
to do or make greec1492
syth1513
reconcile1539
respond1789
repair1886
c1425 Bk. Found. St. Bartholomew's (1923) 4 (MED) He drewe to the extremyte of lyf..dredynge with-yn hymself that he nat ȝitte for his synnys hadde satisfied to God.
c1460 in A. Clark Eng. Reg. Oseney Abbey (1907) 45 (MED) Þey may..after þe lawe of þe contree for þe harme satisfye.
a1475 in A. Clark Eng. Reg. Godstow Nunnery (1905) i. 45 Vndur the condicion that they satisfye & make good to hym thorow whose londys they make her cundyt for the harmys.
1529 S. Fish tr. H. Bomelius Summe Holye Script. viii. sig. E.vj Iesu christ hath satisfied [Du. voldaen] for me vnto hys hevenly father.
1556 tr. J. de Flores Histoire de Aurelio & Isabelle sig. N8 Thinckinge be me selfe where in I mighte doo you seruice agreable for to satisfye to my fautes.
1565 in D. Calderwood Hist. Kirk Scotl. (1843) II. 303 Persons lying in fornication, under promise of mariage, which they differe to solemnize, sould satisfie publicklie in the place of repentance, upon the Lord's Day, before they be maried.
1639 S. Du Verger tr. J.-P. Camus Admirable Events 2 Having beene bound in a great summe of money for one of his friends, whom misfortune had made unable to satisfie.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iii. 295 So Man..Shall satisfie for Man, be judg'd and die. View more context for this quotation
1701 W. Paterson Proposals Council of Trade 155 If he have not to satisfy for the Theft, then to be condemned for any time, not exceeding Six Years more.
1732 Wedding Serm. i. Ded. 2 The Son of the Highest died to satisfy for it [sc. sin].
1860 E. B. Pusey Minor Prophets 556 In the way of justice He satisfied for men, delivering Himself for their faults to the pain of death.
b. transitive. To make atonement or reparation to (a person, a person's honour, justice, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > righteousness or rectitude > reform, amendment, or correction > atonement > atone for [verb (transitive)] > make atonement to (a person)
to make one's gree to or withc1290
answera1400
satisfy1437
content1548
to make it up to1860
1437 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VI (Electronic ed.) Parl. Jan. 1437 §38. m. 1 The seid Thomas Stamford..was committed to the marchall, in prison to abide un to tyme he hadde..satisfied..oure soverain lord of his seid redemption.
c1450 (c1415) in W. O. Ross Middle Eng. Serm. (1940) 283 (MED) For by þin devoute prayere þou makeþ amendis to God, by þin fastyng to þi-selfe and by þin almes dede þou satisfieþ þi neyȝbors.
a1500 Craft of Dying (Rawl.) in C. Horstmann Yorkshire Writers (1896) II. 411 (MED) A verry contrite man offerryth hym-selfe gladly to all maner affliccion of seknesse & ponysshynge of his synnes, Þat he may therby satisfye god worthyly for his offensis.
?1548 Ld. Berners tr. D. de San Pedro Castell of Loue sig. F.iii Therfore syr I requyre you that by uistice ye wyll satysfye the honour that I haue wonne wt my handes.
1602 Earl of Northumberland Declar. 24 Apr. (P.R.O.: SP 12/284) f. 70v Sir ffrancis was willinge to satisfie his Lo[rdship] [in a duel].
1674 D. Brevint Saul & Samuel 237 Now it seems he hath satisfied Divine Justice, in case I do satisfie it my self.
a1711 T. Ken Christophil in Wks. (1721) I. 432 God's Holiness, by Sin defy'd, The Lamb unspotted satisfy'd.
1770 A. Archibald Faith's Victory 64 Here are sins he could not satisfy justice for; here are great sins he could not pardon.
1813 Belfast Monthly Mag. Mar. 248/1 A willingness to satisfy God, and your neighbour also, as far as justice requires.
1860 E. B. Pusey Minor Prophets 556 In the way of justice He satisfied for men, delivering Himself for their faults to the pain of death, to satisfy the honour of the Divine Majesty, so that sin should not remain unpunished.
1917 Trans. Royal Hist. Soc. 11 180 If an officer resorted to arms against a civilian's insult or ill-treatment, he was bound to draw blood to satisfy his militaristic honour.
1972 Jrnl. Amer. Acad. Relig. 40 203/2 Only one who is perfectly righteous and of infinite value can offer the kind of atonement which will satisfy God's justice.
2017 Brattleboro (Vermont) Reformer (Nexis) 28 Nov. b7 An apology for medical mistakes can be enough to satisfy aggrieved patients.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > righteousness or rectitude > reform, amendment, or correction > atonement > atone for [verb (transitive)]
beetc897
i-bye10..
abyelOE
answer?a1300
buya1300
amendc1300
mendc1330
forbuy1340
redressa1387
answera1400
byea1400
filla1400
peasea1400
ransoma1400
to pay for——c1400
recompense?a1439
abidea1450
satisfyc1460
redeema1464
repaira1513
syth1513
reconcile1535
acquit1567
dispense1590
assoil1596
propitiate1610
expiatea1626
atone1661
retrievea1679
c1460 Tree & 12 Frutes (McClean) (1960) 6 (MED) Than shal it be demyd and contempnid [read condempnid] þat is founde now in þe of any ydell werk..but yif it be amendid hiere and satisfied bi ynly sorowgh and compunccioun.
c1475 Wisdom (Folger) (1969) l. 1080 Yet of myselff I may not satysfye my trespas.
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. vi. ccxv. f. cxxxv/2 [He] constrayned them to restore and satysfye all hurtes & harmes to the sayd Churche by theym done.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) iii. xviii. sig. Ss7v Thy death shall satisfie thy iniury, & my malice.
1616 Greenes Mourning Garment (new ed.) sig. K2v Repentance satisfies the deepest offences.
1649 Bp. J. Hall Resol. & Decisions i. iii. 30 He is bound either to prevent the buyers wrong; or if heedlesly done, to satisfy it.
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 199 A complaint of a ship taken was ready to have been satisfied. But Downing hindred it.
1780 J. Mainwaring Serm. Several Occas. v. 164 A Demon..prompts men to commit the most inexpiable crimes in order to satisfy the shadow of an injury.
8. † c. transitive, in passive with unexpressed or impersonal subject. it is satisfied: full payment has been made (to a person, or of or for a debt). Also in extended use. Obsolete.† d. transitive. To remunerate (a person); to pay for services rendered. Also with for. Obsolete.† e. transitive. To pay off (a sum of money owed). Obsolete.
a. transitive. To pay (a creditor) money that is due. Formerly also with of, specifying the debtor or the debt. Also figurative.Formerly occasionally with the debt as indirect object.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > payment > payment of debt > pay debt [verb (transitive)] > pay a creditor
satisfy1426
repaya1530
dischargea1560
clear1609
to meet with1854
straighten1946
1426–7 W. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 11 William ne is not satisfied of þe seyd cxx li. ne no peny þer-of.
?1510 T. More tr. G. F. Pico della Mirandola Lyfe I. Picus sig. b.viv Compelled him with in thre daies to satisfie nature and repaye hir the life which he receiued of hir.
1611 C. Tourneur Atheist's Trag. (new ed.) iii. sig. F3v That shee [sc. Earth] is satisfied, what hee did owe: Both principall and vse.
1667 in J. Watson Jedburgh Abbey (1894) 89 [The council] ordains James Fall to be satisfied of the sum of £200 for timber bought by him.
1692 R. L'Estrange Fables xxix. 28 The Defendant [sc. a sheep] was cast into Costs and Damages, and forc'd to sell the Wool off his Back to satisfie the Creditor.
a1732 J. Ayliffe New Pandect Rom. Civil Law (1734) iv. xv. 514 The Creditor not fully satisfy'd by this means, may..take his Course at Law against the Bankrupt, for the Residue of his Debt.
a1768 T. Secker Serm. Several Subj. (1770) III. vii. 165 Motives, not at all akin to Pride, frequently induce those of high Rank to neglect or even refuse satisfying their Creditors.
1818 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. (ed. 2) II. 141 A tenant by the curtesy may also redeem a mortgage, and hold the lands till he is satisfied.
1870 Preston Chron. & Lancs. Advertiser 9 Apr. 7/2 The case was adjourned indefinitely to see if the bankrupt would make any proposal to pay such a dividend as would satisfy the creditors.
1935 Wilson (N. Carolina) Daily Times 14 Nov. 4/2 The mortgage holder took the $150 and satisfied a creditor who..had been pressing him.
1983 R. T. Takaki Pau Hana iii. 82 After satisfying their creditors, many workers found they had a little money left.
2010 Times 2 Jan. (Sport section) 3/5 Sales are believed to be necessary to satisfy creditors including Revenue & Customs.
b. transitive. To pay off or discharge fully; to settle in full (a debt); to fulfil completely (an obligation).
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > payment > payment of debt > pay debt [verb (transitive)]
quit?c1225
acquita1250
to pay up1434
satisfy1437
discharge1439
defease1480
persolve1548
solve1558
defray1576
affray1584
clear1600
to pay off1607
extinguish1630
to lay downa1640
wipe1668
settle1688
sink1694
retrieve1711
to clear up1726
balance1740
liquidate1755
to clear off1766
square1821
amortize1830
1437 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VI (Electronic ed.) Parl. Jan. 1437 §38. m. 1 Till the seid fynes, and alle other thinges, of the whiche the said Thomas Stamford standeth charged a yens oure soverain lord, be satisfied and determined.
1454 in A. Clark Lincoln Diocese Documents (1914) 64 I wol first..that my dettys..be satisfied after my power.
1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes ii. f. 245v Augustus, beeyng not desired therunto, had..satisfied and contented the debtes of a certain Senatour whom he had in right good fauour.
1578 in F. Collins Wills & Admin. Knaresborough Court Rolls (1902) I. 128 After all my dettes are satisfied.
a1626 F. Bacon Elements Common Lawes (1630) 39 I shall satisfie my contract with a sixepenny piece so raised.
1677 A. Yarranton England's Improvem. 36 At this day many Gentlemen..have sold Land since they entered into these Bonds, and the Bonds not satisfied.
1736 G. Webb Office & Authority of Justice of Peace 26 If the Defendant shall not..satisfy the Debt and Costs, such Officer shall sell by Auction..the Goods attached.
1785 W. Cowper Task iii. 783 'Tis finish'd, and yet, finish'd as it seems, Still wants a grace, the loveliest it could show, A mine to satisfy th'enormous cost.
1806 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. VI. 254 The personal estate was not sufficient to satisfy legacies.
1847 A. Helps Friends in Council I. vii. 111 Which claims cannot be satisfied, ought not to be satisfied, and which, being unsatisfied, embitter people.
1886 Law Rep.: Weekly Notes 11 Dec. 196/1 The reserve fixed by the judge was not sufficient to satisfy the first and second mortgage debentures.
1906 A. B. Hart Slavery & Abolition iv. 63 The planter must raise the crop that would satisfy his obligations.
1992 R. H. Limbaugh Way Things ought to Be iv. 37 There was insufficient collateral to satisfy the loan.
2002 N. Haider in A. K. Bagchi Money & Credit Indian Hist. 68 The buyer could use the bill to make a payment, satisfy his debts or receive cash..from the drawee.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > contentment or satisfaction > be contented or satisfied [verb (intransitive)]
satisfy1440
sufficea1450
contentc1530
acquiescec1620
1440 in A. H. Thompson Visitations Relig. Houses Diocese Lincoln (1927) III. 358 Sir Richard Flemmyng..ordeynede and enioynede that fro that tyme forthe hit shulde be satisfiede to the nunnes of your house of the saide somme.
a1475 in A. Clark Eng. Reg. Godstow Nunnery (1906) ii. 411 Yf hit were not I-satisfied fully in ony terme to the said mynchons..of the said rent.
a1475 in A. Clark Eng. Reg. Godstow Nunnery (1905) i. 198 To holde her distresse til þat hyt were satisfiede to þe foreseyde abbas & couent for all þynges.
c1550 Med. for Soule sig. C.v Seyng therfore that thy synnes beyng cast vpon Christ, could not kepe him in death..in very dede now it is satisfied for them, and they all euen now are forgeuen thee.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > payment for labour or service > paying (money) for labour or service > pay (a person) for labour or service [verb (transitive)]
payc1275
shipec1275
soldc1386
wage1393
feea1529
remunerate1542
satisfy1565
gratify1590
1565 in J. H. Burton Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1877) 1st Ser. I. 403 Laubourand everie man..unto sic tyme that all the artailyearie of this realme be … put in sufficient ordour and the samyn being done be thame thai to be considderit and satisfiit extraordinarlie.
1623 J. Bingham tr. Xenophon Hist. 141 We are ready to depart, as soone as they, by whose meanes you enjoy the land, are satisfied for their pay.
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World v. 128 These Indians did us good service;..and for this their service we satisfied them to their hearts content.
1755 J. Smith Printer's Gram. viii. 215 It is not a Compositor's duty, especially where he has no expectation of being satisfied for it.
1839 J. Mendham Venal Indulgences & Pardons Church of Rome Pref. p. xvi [He] was plainly a Sub-Commissary, and doubtless was well satisfied for his services.
ΚΠ
1572 T. Wilson Disc. Vsurye f. 116 Moneye..as wil pay & satisfie the 120.l.
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary i. 199 The one hundred pounds which my brother and I carried in our purses, would not satisfie the five hundred pound we had spent.
1658 J. Herne Mod. Assurancer 48 As much Flemish money as shall satisfie eight hundred fifty eight pounds seventeen shillings six pence of lawfull money of England.
1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian i, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. III. 28 Though I ken my father will satisfy every penny of this siller, whatever there's o't, yet I wadna like to borrow it frae ane that maybe thinks of something mair than the paying o't back again.
Phrases
Chiefly British. to satisfy the examiners: to attain the standard required to pass an examination; spec. to pass a university examination without being entitled to honours.
ΚΠ
1834 Rep. Select Comm. Med. Educ. Pt. II: Minutes Evid. 15 in Parl. Papers (H.C. 602) XIII. 1 If it was then found not to be sufficient to satisfy the examiners, the candidates were desired to withdraw.
1861 J. E. T. Rogers Educ. Oxf. 37 Certain persons who, attempting only to satisfy the examiners, do more than satisfy them, are..distinguished by having an honorary class..assigned to them.
1913 Oxf. Univ. Gaz. 19 Feb. 495/2 This Diploma is to certify that A. B...attended a prescribed course of lectures..and (on such a date) satisfied..the examiners.
1947 Exam. Secondary Schools: Rep. (Secondary Schools Exam. Council) 8 A ‘General Certificate of Education’ should be awarded showing the subjects (and the level—‘Ordinary’ or ‘Advanced’—in each subject) in which the candidate has satisfied the examiners.
1986 Times (Nexis) 3 July The following is not a candidate for honours but has satisfied the examiners: [etc.].
2017 Nigerian Tribune (Nexis) 19 Oct. The rest of preclinical medical school flew by in a blur, as he managed to consistently score 50/51 to satisfy the examiners.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2019; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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