Satisfy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Satisfied; p. pr. & vb. n. Satisfying.]
Etymology: [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 chaims 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 requitte; as, to satisfy a claim or an execution.
4. To free from doubrt, suspense, or uncertainty; to give assurance to; 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.
1 more senses
Syn. -- To satiate; sate; content; grafity; compensate. See Satiate.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Satisfy, v. i.
1. To give satisfaction; to afford gratification; to leave nothing to be desire.
2. To make payment or atonement; to atone. Milton.
Shades of meaning
To satisfy is to furnish just enough to meet physical, mental, or spiritual desire. To sate or satiate is to gratify desire so fully as for a time to extinguish it. To cloy or surfeit is to gratify to the point of revulsion or disgust. Glut is a strong but somewhat coarse word applied to the utmost satisfaction of vehement appetites and passions; as, to glut a vengeful spirit with slaughter; we speak of glutting the market with a supply so excessive as to extinguish the demand. Much less than is needed to satisfy may suffice a frugal or abstemious person; less than a sufficiency may content one of a patient and submissive spirit. Compare pay; requite.
Prepositions
Satisfy with food, with gifts, etc.; satisfy one (in the sense of make satisfaction) for labors and sacrifices; satisfy oneself by or upon inquiry.