Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.

            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.