Content-free
1. (By analogy with “context-free”) Used of a message that adds nothing to the recipient’s knowledge. Though this adjective is sometimes applied to flamage, it more usually connotes derision for communication styles that exalt form over substance or are centred on concerns irrelevant to the subject ostensibly at hand. Perhaps most used with reference to speeches by company presidents and other professional manipulators.
See also four-colour glossies.
2. Within British schools the term refers to general-purpose software such as a word processor, a spreadsheet or a program that tests spelling of words supplied by the teacher. This is in contrast to software designed to teach a particular topic, e.g. a plant growth simulation, an interactive periodic table or a program that tests spelling of a predetermined list of words. Content-free software can be more cost-effective as it can be reused for many lessons throughout the syllabus.
[Jargon File]
(1998-08-26)
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[kuh n-tent] /kənˈtɛnt/ adjective 1. satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else. 2. British. agreeing; assenting. 3. Archaic. . verb (used with object) 4. to make content: These things content me. noun 5. the state or feeling of being contented; satisfaction; : His content was threatened. 6. (in the […]
- Contention
[kuh n-ten-shuh n] /kənˈtɛn ʃən/ noun 1. a struggling together in opposition; strife. 2. a striving in rivalry; competition; contest. 3. strife in debate; dispute; controversy. 4. a point for or affirmed in controversy. /kənˈtɛnʃən/ noun 1. a struggling between opponents; competition 2. dispute in an argument (esp in the phrase bone of contention) 3. […]
- Contentional
[kuh n-ten-shuh n] /kənˈtɛn ʃən/ noun 1. a struggling together in opposition; strife. 2. a striving in rivalry; competition; contest. 3. strife in debate; dispute; controversy. 4. a point for or affirmed in controversy. /kənˈtɛnʃən/ noun 1. a struggling between opponents; competition 2. dispute in an argument (esp in the phrase bone of contention) 3. […]
- Contentious
[kuh n-ten-shuh s] /kənˈtɛn ʃəs/ adjective 1. tending to argument or strife; quarrelsome: a contentious crew. 2. causing, involving, or characterized by argument or controversy: contentious issues. 3. Law. pertaining to causes between or opposing parties. /kənˈtɛnʃəs/ adjective 1. tending to argue or quarrel 2. causing or characterized by dispute; controversial 3. (law) relating to […]
- Contentiously
[kuh n-ten-shuh s] /kənˈtɛn ʃəs/ adjective 1. tending to argument or strife; quarrelsome: a contentious crew. 2. causing, involving, or characterized by argument or controversy: contentious issues. 3. Law. pertaining to causes between or opposing parties. /kənˈtɛnʃəs/ adjective 1. tending to argue or quarrel 2. causing or characterized by dispute; controversial 3. (law) relating to […]