Satisfaction

Satisfaction - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

SATISFAC'TION, n. [L. satisfactio. See Satisfy.]

1. That state of the mind which results from the full gratification of desire; repose of mind or contentment with present possession and enjoyment. Sensual pleasure affords no permanent satisfaction.

2. The act of pleasing or gratifying.

The mind having a power to suspend the execution and satisfaction of its desires -

3. Repose of the mind on the certainty of any thing; that state which results from relief from suspense, doubt or uncertainty; conviction.

What satisfaction can you have?

4. Gratification; that which pleases.

Exchanging solid quiet to obtain the windy satisfaction of the brain.

5. That which satisfies; amends; recompense; compensation; indemnification; atonement. Satisfaction for damages, must be an equivalent; but satisfaction in many cases, may consist in concession or apology.

6. Payment; discharge; as, to receive a sum in full satisfaction of a debt; to enter satisfaction on record.

sat-is-fak'-shun: Occurs twice in the King James Version (Nu 35:31,32) as a rendering of the Hebrew kopher (the Revised Version (British and American) "ransom"). It means a price paid as compensation for a life, and the passage cited is a prohibition against accepting such, in case of murder, or for the return of the manslayer. Such compensation was permitted in ancient justice among many peoples. Compare poine, which Liddell and Scott define as "properly quit-money for blood spilt, the fine paid by the slayer to the kinsman of the slain, as a ransom from all consequences." The same custom prevailed among Teutonic peoples, as seen in the German Wergeld and Old English wergild. The Hebrew lairs of the Old Testament permit it only in the case of a man or woman gored to death by an ox (Ex 21:30-32).

Benjamin Reno Downer