GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Contain , 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.]
   To hold within fixed limits; to comprise; to include; to inclose; to hold.
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   Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens can not contain thee; how much less this house!
   2 Chron. vi. 18.
   
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   When that this body did contain a spirit.
   Shak.
   
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   What thy stores contain bring forth.
   Milton.
   
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   To have capacity for; to be able to hold; to hold; to be equivalent to; as, a bushel contains four pecks.
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   To put constraint upon; to restrain; to confine; to keep within bounds. [Obs., exept as used reflexively.]
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   The king's person contains the unruly people from evil occasions.
   Spenser.
   
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   Fear not, my lord: we can contain ourselves.
   Shak.
   
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2.       
   Contain, v. i. To restrain desire; to live in continence or chastity.
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   But if they can not contain, let them marry.
   1 Cor. vii. 9.
   
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