The contented feeling when a need, desire, or expectation has been fulfilled.
The contented feeling when a need, desire, or expectation has been fulfilled — literally “doing enough.”
Hinges on a prior want being discharged: you feel it in or at an accomplishment, a meal, a solved problem, which makes it more outcome- and goal-oriented than the others. The classic contrast: “contentment is passive; satisfaction is active” — contentment is peace with present conditions, satisfaction follows from something achieved. Calmer and more evaluative than the expressive joy, delight, or glee. Also carries non-emotional senses (a debt satisfied; “satisfaction” for an insult).
Early 14c., originally religious — a penitent's act of atonement — from Latin satisfacere “to do enough” (satis “enough” + facere “to do”), via the sense “a satisfying of a creditor.”
Secularized and broadened: from atonement and debt-discharge to “gratifying a desire” (late 14c.) to “contented state of mind” (late 15c.). Later specialized senses include “information that removes doubt” and the duelling “satisfaction” of honor. No sourced recent-generation shift.