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satisfy - 6 dictionary results

sat⋅is⋅fy

  [sat-is-fahy] verb, -fied, -fy⋅ing.
Use satisfy in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to fulfill the desires, expectations, needs, or demands of (a person, the mind, etc.); give full contentment to: The hearty meal satisfied him.
2. to put an end to (a desire, want, need, etc.) by sufficient or ample provision: The hearty meal satisfied his hunger.
3. to give assurance to; convince: to satisfy oneself by investigation.
4. to answer sufficiently, as an objection.
5. to solve or dispel, as a doubt.
6. to discharge fully (a debt, obligation, etc.).
7. to make reparation to or for: to satisfy an offended person; to satisfy a wrong.
8. to pay (a creditor).
9. Mathematics.
a. to fulfill the requirements or conditions of: to satisfy a theorem.
b. (of a value of an unknown) to change (an equation) into an identity when substituted for the unknown: x = 2 satisfies 3x = 6.
–verb (used without object)
10. to give satisfaction.
Origin:
1400–50; late ME satisfien < MF satisfier < VL *satisficāre (for L satisfacere to do enough; see satisfaction ); see -fy

Related forms:
sat⋅is⋅fi⋅a⋅ble, adjective
sat⋅is⋅fi⋅er, noun
sat⋅is⋅fy⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
sat⋅is⋅fy⋅ing⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. gratify, appease, pacify, please. Satisfy, content refer to meeting one's desires or wishes. To satisfy is to meet to the full one's wants, expectations, etc.: to satisfy a desire to travel. To content is to give enough to keep one from being disposed to find fault or complain: to content oneself with a moderate meal. 3. persuade.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To satisfy
sat·is·fy   (sāt'ĭs-fī')   
v.   sat·is·fied, sat·is·fy·ing, sat·is·fies

v.   tr.
  1. To gratify the need, desire, or expectation of.
  2. To fulfill (a need or desire).
    1. To free from doubt or question; assure.
    2. To get rid of (a doubt or question); dispel.
    3. To discharge (a debt or obligation, for example) in full.
    4. To discharge an obligation to (a creditor).
    1. To discharge (a debt or obligation, for example) in full.
    2. To discharge an obligation to (a creditor).
  5. To conform to the requirements of (a standard or rule); be sufficient to (an end).
  6. To make reparation for; redress.
  7. Mathematics To make the left and right sides of an equation equal after substituting equivalent quantities for the unknown variables in the equation.
v.   intr.
  1. To be sufficient or adequate.
  2. To give satisfaction.

[Middle English satisfien, from Old French satisfier, from Latin satisfacere : satis, sufficient; see sā- in Indo-European roots + facere, to make; see dhē- in Indo-European roots.]
sat'is·fi'er n., sat'is·fy'ing·ly adv.
Synonyms: These verbs mean to supply fully or completely: satisfied all requirements; answered our needs; fills a purpose; fulfilled their aspirations; met her obligations.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Satisfy

Sat"is*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Satisfied; p. pr. & vb. n. Satisfying.] [OF. satisfier; L. satis enough + -ficare (in comp.) to make; cf. F. satisfaire, L. satisfacere. See Sad, a., and Fact.]

1. In general, to fill up the measure of a want of (a person or a thing); hence, to grafity fully the desire of; to make content; to supply to the full, or so far as to give contentment with what is wished for.

Death shall . . . with us two Be forced to satisfy his ravenous maw. --Milton.

2. To pay to the extent of claims or deserts; to give what is due to; as, to satisfy a creditor.

3. To answer or discharge, as a claim, debt, legal demand, or the like; to give compensation for; to pay off; to requite; as, to satisfy a claim or an execution.

4. To free from doubt, suspense, or uncertainty; to give assurance to; to set at rest the mind of; to convince; as, to satisfy one's self by inquiry.

The standing evidences of the truth of the gospel are in themselves most firm, solid, and satisfying. --Atterbury.

Syn: To satiate; sate; content; grafity; compensate. See Satiate.

Satisfy

Sat"is*fy\, v. i. 1. To give satisfaction; to afford gratification; to leave nothing to be desired.

2. To make payment or atonement; to atone. --Milton.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : satisfy
Spanish: satisfacer,
German: stillen,
Japanese: 満足させる
More Translations »

satisfy 
c.1430, from M.Fr. satisfier, from O.Fr. satisfaire, from L. satisfacere "discharge fully, comply with, make amends," lit. "do enough," from satis "enough" (from PIE base *sa- "to satisfy;" see sad) + facere "perform" (see factitious).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Main Entry: sat·is·fy
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: -fied; -fy·ing
1 a : to carry out the terms or obligation of (as by payment of money) satisfy the judgment against her> <satisfy a condition precedent>; broadly : to cause to be discharged, settled, or paid satisfy his claim against the debtor> b : to meet an obligation to <satisfy a creditor>
2 : to convince by argument or evidence
3 : to conform to <satisfy requirements>
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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