- con|tain´a|ble
- con|tain «kuhn TAYN», transitive verb.1. to have within itself; hold as contents; include: »
My purse contains money. A library contains books. Books contain information.
2. to be capable of holding: »This pitcher will contain a quart of milk.
4. to control; hold back; restrain (one's feelings): »She could not contain her anger when he kicked her dog.
5. Military. to control or restrain (enemy forces) by stopping, holding, or surrounding: »The British fleet under Admiral Nelson contained Napoleon's ships at Trafalgar.
6. to be capable of being divided by (a number) without a remainder: »12 contains 2, 3, 4, and 6.
–v.i.to restrain oneself or one's feelings: »He could contain no longer, but hasting home, invaded his territories, and professed open war (Robert Burton).
╂[< Old French contenir < Latin continēre < com- together + tenēre hold]–con|tain´a|ble, adjective.Synonym Study transitive verb. 1, 2 Contain, hold, accommodate mean to have within itself or be capable of having and keeping. Contain emphasizes the idea of actually having something within itself as contents or parts: »The house contains five rooms. The new edition contains several maps and charts.
Hold, although often used interchangeably with contain, suggests being capable of containing: »This carton holds one dozen eggs. A paper bag won't hold water.
Accommodate means to hold conveniently or comfortably: »Most hotel rooms accommodate two people. The new garage accommodates fifty cars.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.
