Contain \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.
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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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   2. 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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   3. 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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