v. t. | 1. | To hold within fixed limits; to comprise; to include; to inclose; to hold. |
2. | To have capacity for; to be able to hold; to hold; to be equivalent to; | |
3. | To put constraint upon; to restrain; to confine; to keep within bounds. | |
v. i. | 1. | To restrain desire; to live in continence or chastity. |
Verb | 1. | contain - include or contain; have as a component; "A totally new idea is comprised in this paper"; "The record contains many old songs from the 1930's" Synonyms: comprise, incorporate |
2. | contain - contain or hold; have within; "The jar carries wine"; "The canteen holds fresh water"; "This can contains water" | |
3. | contain - lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits; "moderate your alcohol intake"; "hold your tongue"; "hold your temper"; "control your anger" | |
4. | contain - be divisible by; "24 contains 6" | |
5. | contain - be capable of holding or containing; "This box won't take all the items"; "The flask holds one gallon" | |
6. | contain - hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of; "Arrest the downward trend"; "Check the growth of communism in Sout East Asia"; "Contain the rebel movement"; "Turn back the tide of communism" |