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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