Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SAT-IS-FAC'TORY, a. [Fr. satisfactoire; Sp. satisfactorio.]

1. Giving or producing satisfaction; yielding content; particularly, relieving the mind from doubt or uncertainty, and enabling it to rest with confidence; as, to give a satisfactory account of any remarkable transaction. A judge seeks for satisfactory evidence of guilt before he condemns.
2. Making amends, indemnification or recompense; causing to cease from claims and to rest content; atoning; as, to make satisfactory compensation, or a satisfactory apology for an offense. A most wise and sufficient means of salvation by the satisfactory and meritorious death and obedience of the incarnate Son of God, Jesus Christ. Sanderson.