con·tain / kənˈtān/ • v. [tr.] 1. have or hold (someone or something) within. ∎  be made up of (a number of things); consist of: borscht can contain mainly beets or a number of vegetables. ∎  (of a number) be divisible by (a factor) without a remainder.2. control or restrain (oneself or a feeling). ∎  prevent (a severe problem) from increasing in extent or intensity: a new western policy to contain the conflict in Bosnia.DERIVATIVES: con·tain·a·ble adj.

contain keep within certain limits XIII; have in it, comprise XIV. ME. conte(i)ne repr. tonic stem of (O)F. contenir :- L. continēre, f. CON- + tenēre hold.