CONTAIN


Meaning of CONTAIN in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ kən-ˈtān ]

verb

Etymology: Middle English conteinen, from Anglo-French cunteign-, cuntyen-, stem of cuntenir, from Latin continēre to hold together, hold in, contain, from com- + tenēre 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 -ˈtā-nə-bəl 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

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.