contain

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To hold or have something inside.

   The brown box contains three stacks of books.

2. 2
   verb

   To include something as a part.

   Most of the meals they offer contain meat.

3. 3
   verb

   To keep something harmful within limits and stop it from spreading.

   Medical workers worked hard to contain the outbreak.

4. 4
   verb

   To hold back or control a strong emotion.

   I'm so excited, I can hardly contain myself!

From Middle English, borrowed from Old French contenir, from Latin continēre (“to hold or keep together, comprise, contain”), combined form of con- (“together”) + teneō (“to hold”).

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