satisfy

Verb

satisfy (third-person singular simple present satisfies, present participle satisfying, simple past and past participle satisfied)

1. (ambitransitive) To be enough (for)
   • That brief explanation will never satisfy.
   • Death shall […] with us two / Be forced to satisfy his ravenous maw.1667, John Milton, “Book IX”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished...
   1. (ambitransitive, transitive) To meet the needs of, to fulfill the wishes or requirements of (someone).
      • The final rehearsal of the day seemed to satisfy the director.
   2. (ambitransitive, transitive) To provide what is wanted or required for (something).
      • Even three giant helpings of turkey and ham didn't satisfy her appetite.
2. (transitive) To pay to the extent of what is claimed or due.
   • to satisfy a creditor
3. (transitive) To answer or discharge (a claim, debt, legal demand, etc.); to give compensation for.
   • to satisfy a claim or an execution
4. (transitive) To cause (a sentence) to be true when the sentence is interpreted in one's universe.
   • The complex numbers satisfy #92;existsx#58;x²#43;1#61;0.
5. (dated, literary, transitive) To convince by ascertaining; to free from doubt.
   • I was resolved to satisfy myself whether this ragged Elijah was really dogging us or not, and with that intent crossed the way with Queequeg, and on that side of it retraced our steps.1851 November 14, Herman Melville, chapter 19, in Moby-Dick; or, The Whale, 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers; London: Richard Bentley, →OCLC
   • The Siamese officer and the Consul having satisfied themselves of the honest intentions of the applicant, will assist him...1856, “Treaty signed April 18, 1855; ratified April 5, 1856”, in Treaty of friendship and commerce between Great Britain and Siam, Bangkok: J. H. Chandler, page 9