| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ adjective
1.
a. : sufficient in itself : independent
the world of technics is not isolated and self-contained — Lewis Mumford
b. : showing self-command : self-controlled
taller than most of the early frontiersmen … more self-contained and more dependable — Mari Sandoz
c. : formal and reserved in manner
cool, composed, indulgent, self-contained … she watched with sympathy the liberal manners of the new century — Ellen Glasgow
2.
a. : having none of its parts in common with anything surrounding it or adjacent to it : complete in itself
a self-contained machine
small self-contained houses, with each its own hedged garden — Mary Baum
b. Britain : including all necessary living facilities and restricted to the use of one family
a self-contained house
c. : having a self-cover
• self-contained·ly | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ adverb
• self-contained·ness | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷nə̇dnə̇s noun -es