Search the Dictionary

The state of mind characterized by one's reliance on himself, or his circumstamces; a feeling of self-sufficiency; such assurance as leads to a feeling of security; self-reliance; -- often with self prefixed. Your wisdom is consumed in confidence; Do not go forth to-day. Shak. But confidence then bore thee on secure Ei…

Restraint within limits; imprisonment; any restraint of liberty; seclusion. The mind hates restraint, and is apt to fancy itself under confinement when the sight is pent up. Addison.

eans self- knowledge . . . But the English word implies a moral standard of action in the mind as well as a consciousness of our own actions. . . . Conscience is the reason, employed about questions of right and wrong, and accompanied with the sentiments of approbation and condemnation. Whewell.

tal operations, acts, etc. Consciousness is thus, on the one hand, the recognition by the mind or "ego" of its acts and affections; -- in other words, the self- affirmation that certain modifications are known by me, and that these modifications are mine. Sir W. Hamilton.

To agree in opinion or sentiment; to be of the same mind; to accord; to concur. And Saul was consenting unto his death. Acts. viii. 1. Flourishing many years before Wyclif, and much consenting with him in jugdment. Fuller.

Agreeing in mind; accordant. The consentient judgment of the church. Bp. Pearson.

position and tendency to preserve what is established; opposition to change; the habit of mind; or conduct, of a conservative.

To fix the mind on, with a view to a careful examination; to thank on with care; to ponder; to study; to meditate on. I will consider thy testimonies. Ps. cxix. 95. Thenceforth to speculations high or deep I turned my thoughts, and with capacious mind Considered all things visible. Milton.

Worthy of consideration, borne in mind, or attended to. It is considerable, that some urns have had inscriptions on them expressing that the lamps were burning. Bp. Wilkins. Eternity is infinitely the most considerable duration. Tillotson.

The act of consoling; the state of being consoled; allevation of misery or distress of mind; refreshment of spirit; comfort; that which consoles or comforts the spirit. Against such cruelties With inward consolations recompensed. Milton. Are the consolations of God small with thee Job xv. 11.

and awful act of justice; and it has with truth been said to be consolatory to the human mind. Burke.

Fixedness or firmness of mind; persevering resolution; especially, firmness of mind under sufferings, steadiness in attashments, or perseverance in enterprise; stability; fidelity. A fellow of plain unoined constancy. Shak. Constancy and contempt of danger. Prescott.

Belonging to, or inherent in, the constitution, or in the structure of body or mind; as, a constitutional infirmity; constitutional ardor or dullness.

In accordance with the constitution or natural disposition of the mind or body; naturally; as, he was constitutionally timid. The English were constitutionally humane. Hallam.

The act or means of communicating any influence to the mind or heart; as, the contagion of enthusiasm. "The contagion of example." Eikon Basilike. When lust . . . Lets in defilement to the inward parts, The soul grows clotted by contagion. Milton.

The act of the mind in considering with attention; continued attention of the mind to a particular subject; meditation; musing; study. In contemplation of created things, By steps we may ascend to God. Milton. Contemplation is keeping the idea which is brought into the mind for some time actually in view. Locke.…

Rest or quietness of the mind in one's present condition; freedom from discontent; satisfaction; contentment; moderate happiness. Such is the fullness of my heart's content. Shak.

Content; easy in mind; satisfied; quiet; willing. -- Con*tent"ed*ly, adv. -- Con*tent"ed*ness, n.

ation; pleasure; satisfaction. [Obs.] At Paris the prince spent one whole day to give his mind some contentment in viewing of a famous city. Sir H. Wotton.

Narrow; illiberal; selfish; as, a contracted mind; contracted views.