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.
Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens can not contain thee; how much less this house!
2 Chron. vi. 18.
When that this body did contain a spirit.
Shak.
What thy stores contain bring forth.
Milton.
2.
To have capacity for; to be able to hold; to hold; to be equivalent to; as, a bushel contains four pecks.
3.
To put constraint upon; to restrain; to confine; to keep within bounds.
[Obs., exept as used reflexively.]
The king's person contains the unruly people from evil occasions.
Spenser.
Fear not, my lord: we can contain ourselves.
Shak.
© Webster 1913.
Con*tain", v. i.
To restrain desire; to live in continence or chastity.
But if they can not contain, let them marry.
1 Cor. vii. 9.
© Webster 1913.