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Indifferent vs Content - What's the difference?

indifferent | content |

In obsolete terms the difference between indifferent and content

is that indifferent is to some extent, in some degree (intermediate between very and not at all); moderately, tolerably, fairly while content is acquiescence without examination.

As an adverb indifferent

is to some extent, in some degree (intermediate between very and not at all); moderately, tolerably, fairly.

As a noun content is

that which is contained.

As a verb content is

to give contentment or satisfaction; to satisfy; to gratify; to appease.

indifferent

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Not caring or concerned; uninterested, apathetic.
  • He was indifferent to the proposal, since it didn't affect him, either way.
  • Mediocre, usually used negatively in modern usage.
  • The long distance and the indifferent roads made the journey impossible.
    The performance of Blue Jays has been '''indifferent'' this season.
  • * Sir Walter Scott
  • The staterooms are in indifferent order.
  • Having no preference or bias, being impartial.
  • ''I am indifferent between the two plans.
  • * Addison
  • indifferent in his choice to sleep or die
  • Not making a difference; without significance or importance.
  • Even if one appliance consumes an indifferent amount of energy when left on stand-by overnight, together they can represent 10% of the electricity demand of a household.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Dangers are to me indifferent .
  • * Jeremy Taylor
  • Everything in the world is indifferent but sin.
  • * Nathaniel Hawthorne
  • His slightest and most indifferent acts were odious in the clergyman's sight.
  • (mechanics) Being in the state of neutral equilibrium.
  • Quotations

    * , act 4, scene 1: *: Let their heads be sleekly combed their blue coats brushed and their garters of an indifferent knit

    Adverb

  • (obsolete) To some extent, in some degree (intermediate between very'' and ''not at all ); moderately, tolerably, fairly.
  • The face of the Moon appearing to me to be full of indifferent high mountains...

    Usage notes

    * Now obsolete, but very common c. 1600-1730.

    References

    * ----

    content

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) ; see contain.

    Noun

  • (uncountable) That which is contained.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-21, author=(Oliver Burkeman)
  • , volume=189, issue=2, page=27, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly) , title= The tao of tech , passage=The dirty secret of the internet is that all this distraction and interruption is immensely profitable. Web companies like to boast about "creating compelling content ", or
  • Subject matter; substance.
  • * Grew
  • I shall prove these writingsauthentic, and the contents true, and worthy of a divine original.
  • The amount of material contained; contents.
  • Capacity for holding.
  • * (Francis Bacon)
  • Strong ships, of great content .
  • (mathematics) The n''-dimensional space contained by an ''n''-dimensional polytope (called ''volume'' in the case of a polyhedron and ''area in the case of a polygon).
  • Etymology 2

    From (etyl), from (etyl) content, from (etyl) ; see contain.

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Satisfied; in a state of satisfaction.
  • *
  • *:This new-comer was a man who in any company would have seemed striking.He was smooth-faced, and his fresh skin and well-developed figure bespoke the man in good physical condition through active exercise, yet well content with the world's apportionment.
  • Derived terms
    * contentment
    Synonyms
    * (satisfied) contented, pleased, satisfied

    Etymology 3

    From (etyl) , from (contenter); see content as a verb.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Satisfaction; contentment
  • They were in a state of sleepy content after supper.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Such is the fullness of my heart's content .
  • (obsolete) acquiescence without examination
  • * Alexander Pope
  • The sense they humbly take upon content .
  • That which contents or satisfies; that which if attained would make one happy.
  • * Shakespeare
  • So will I in England work your grace's full content .
  • (UK, House of Lords) An expression of assent to a bill or motion; an affirmate vote.
  • (UK, House of Lords) A member who votes in assent.
  • Derived terms
    * discontent * malcontent

    Etymology 4

    From (etyl) contenter, from ; see content as an adjective.

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To give contentment or satisfaction; to satisfy; to gratify; to appease.
  • You can't have any more - you'll have to content yourself with what you already have.
  • * Bible, Mark xv. 15
  • Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them.
  • * I. Watts
  • Do not content yourselves with obscure and confused ideas, where clearer are to be attained.
  • (obsolete) To satisfy the expectations of; to pay; to requite.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Come the next Sabbath, and I will content you.