different between peaceable vs contented

English

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman pesible, peisible, Middle French paisible, from pais (“peace”) + -ible; later remodelled after peace +? -able.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?pi?s?b(?)l/

Adjective

peaceable (comparative more peaceable, superlative most peaceable)

1. Favouring peace rather than conflict; not aggressive, tending to avoid violence (of people, actions etc.). [from 14th c.]
   • 1999, Faisal Bodi, The Guardian, 29 Dec 1999:

     But in the Muslim world we are dealing with regimes who have banished, imprisoned, silenced or neutralised all opposition, even where this is entirely peaceable.

   • 2011, ‘Feeling understandably twitchy’, The Economist, 8 Feb 2011:

     But if you talk to people here privately, they suggest there are three possible scenarios. The first (intended to sound incredible) is that Israel’s biggest neighbour will be transformed into a peaceable, pluralist democracy.

2. Characterized by peace; peaceful, tranquil. [from 14th c.]
   • , Episode 16:

     Though unusual in the Dublin area he knew that it was not by any means unknown for desperadoes who had next to nothing to live on to be abroad waylaying and generally terrorising peaceable pedestrians by placing a pistol at their head [...].

Derived terms

• peaceability
• peaceableness
• peaceably

Translations

See also

• peaceful

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /k?n?t?nt?d/

Verb

contented

1. simple past tense and past participle of content

Adjective

contented (comparative more contented, superlative most contented)

1. Satisfied.
   • 1795 James Boswell, as quoted in, 2010, Doug Stewart, the Boy Who Would be Shakespeare, excerpted as "To Be... or Not", Smithsonian, ISSN 0037-7333, volume 4, number 3, June 2010, page 72:

     "I shall now die contented," [Boswell] breathed, "since I have lived to see the present day."

Translations

Anagrams

• decontent