v.
Pronunciation: k ə n- ' t ā n
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English conteinen, from Anglo-French cunteign-, cuntyen-, stem of cuntenir, from Latin contin ē re to hold together, hold in, contain, from com- + ten ē re to hold ― more at THIN
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 : to keep within limits: as a : RESTRAIN , CONTROL <could hardly contain her enthusiasm> b : CHECK , HALT < contain the spread of a deadly disease> c : to follow successfully a policy of containment toward <efforts to contain Communism> d : to prevent (as an enemy or opponent) from advancing or from making a successful attack
2 a : to have within : HOLD b : COMPRISE , INCLUDE <the bill contain s several new clauses>
3 a : to be divisible by usually without a remainder b : ENCLOSE , BOUND
intransitive verb : to restrain oneself
– con · tain · able \ - ' t ā -n ə -b ə l \ adjective
synonyms CONTAIN , HOLD , ACCOMMODATE mean to have or be capable of having within. CONTAIN implies the actual presence of a specified substance or quantity within something <the can contains a quart of oil>. HOLD implies the capacity of containing or the usual or permanent function of containing or keeping <the bookcase will hold all my textbooks>. ACCOMMODATE stresses holding without crowding or inconvenience <the hall can accommodate 500 people>.