satisfy
Definitions
To meet a need, desire, or expectation fully.
满足（需求、欲望、期望）。
To make someone pleased or content.
使（某人）满意。
To convince someone by giving enough proof or evidence.
（用充分证据）使确信，使信服。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedsatis ('enough') + -fy (from facere, 'to make/do') = 'to make enough.' Latin satisfacere meant to do enough to meet a need. When a meal, an answer, or a service does enough, it satisfies. The same root surfaces as fact- in the noun satisfaction and adjective satisfactory.
Root sat still carries 42 more wordsWhy It Means This
Beyond 'please someone,' satisfy carries a quieter sense of 'supply enough proof': satisfy a requirement, satisfy the conditions, or satisfy yourself that something is true. The thread is always 'enough has been provided' — enough pleasure, enough evidence, enough of what was demanded.
Common Collocations
- 1.satisfy a requirement满足要求
- 2.satisfy demand满足需求
- 3.satisfy curiosity满足好奇心
- 4.satisfy a condition满足条件
- 5.satisfy oneself使自己确信
Example Sentences
- 1.
Nothing he did could satisfy his demanding boss.
- 2.
The new design satisfies all the safety requirements.
- 3.
I satisfied myself that the door was locked before leaving.
- 4.
A glass of water won't satisfy that kind of thirst.
Synonym Comparison
- satisfy — meet a need or standard fully: satisfy the requirements
- please — give pleasure or happiness, more emotional: eager to please
- content — make peacefully accepting, often 'settle for': content yourself with less
- gratify — indulge a wish or vanity, sometimes excessive: gratify his ego
- fulfil — bring to complete realization: fulfil a dream, fulfil a promise