Con*tain" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.p. Contained (?); p.pr. & vb.n. Containing.] [OE. contenen, conteinen, F. contenir, fr. L. continere, -tentum; con- + tenere to hold. See Tenable, and cf. Countenance.]

1.

To hold within fixed limits; to comprise; to include; to inclose; to hold.

Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens can not contain thee; how much less this house! 2 Chron. vi. 18.

When that this body did contain a spirit. Shak.

What thy stores contain bring forth. Milton.

2.

To have capacity for; to be able to hold; to hold; to be equivalent to; as, a bushel contains four pecks.

3.

To put constraint upon; to restrain; to confine; to keep within bounds.

[Obs., exept as used reflexively.]

The king's person contains the unruly people from evil occasions. Spenser.

Fear not, my lord: we can contain ourselves. Shak.

 

© Webster 1913.


Con*tain", v. i.

To restrain desire; to live in continence or chastity.

But if they can not contain, let them marry. 1 Cor. vii. 9.

 

© Webster 1913.

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