contains

Main Entry:: con·tain
Pronunciation:: \kən-ˈtān\
Function:: verb
Etymology:: Middle English conteinen, from Anglo-French cunteign-, cuntyen-, stem of cuntenir, from Latin continēre to hold together, hold in, contain, from com- + tenēre to hold — more at thin
Date:: 14th century

transitive verb1: to keep within limits: as a: restrain , control <could hardly contain her enthusiasm> b: check , halt <contain the spread of a deadly disease> c: to follow successfully a policy of containment toward <efforts to contain Communism> d: to prevent (as an enemy or opponent) from advancing or from making a successful attack 2 a: to have within : hold b: comprise , include <the bill contains several new clauses>3 a: to be divisible by usually without a remainder b: enclose , boundintransitive verb: to restrain oneself

— con·tain·able

\-ˈtā-nə-bəl\ adjective

synonyms contain , hold , accommodate mean to have or be capable of having within. contain implies the actual presence of a specified substance or quantity within something <the can contains a quart of oil>. hold implies the capacity of containing or the usual or permanent function of containing or keeping <the bookcase will hold all my textbooks>. accommodate stresses holding without crowding or inconvenience <the hall can accommodate 500 people>.

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