self´-con|tained´ness

self-con|tained «_SEHLF kuhn TAYND», adjective.

1. saying little; reserved: »

They are rather silent, self-contained men when with strangers (Theodore Roosevelt).

2. containing in oneself or itself all that is necessary; independent of what is external: »

When London was smaller, and the parts of London more self-contained and parochial... (G. K. Chesterton).

3. having all its working parts contained in one case, cover, or framework: »

A watch is self-contained.

4. British. having approaches, entrances, and apartments restricted to the use of a single household: »

a self-contained house.

–self´-con|tained´ness, noun.