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contain

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contain
contain S2 W1 /kənˈteɪn/ verb [transitive]
 Date: 1200-1300
 Language: Old French
 Origin: contenir, from Latin continere 'to hold together, hold in, contain', from com- ( ⇨ COM-) + tenere 'to hold'
1.  CONTAINER/PLACE if something such as a bag, box, or place contains something, that thing is inside it:
    The thieves stole a purse containing banknotes.
    The museum contains a number of original artworks.
2.  WRITING/SPEECH if a document, book, speech etc contains something, that thing is included in it:
    The letter contained information about Boulestin’s legal affairs.
    be contained in/within something
    The proposed changes are contained in a policy statement.
3.  SUBSTANCE if a substance contains something, that thing is part of it:
    This product may contain nuts.
  REGISTER
    In everyday English, people often use different phrases to say that something contains something else:
    The box contained books. ➔ The box had books in it.
    | The essay contained a lot of mistakes.There were a lot of mistakes in the essay.
    | Does this dish contain any meat?Is there any meat in this dish?
4.  CONTROL FEELINGS to control strong feelings of anger, excitement etc:
    Jane couldn’t contain her amusement any longer.
    contain yourself
    He was so excited he could hardly contain himself.
5.  STOP SOMETHING to stop something from spreading or escaping:
    Doctors are struggling to contain the epidemic.
    measures aimed at containing political oppositionself-contained
6.  MATHS technical to surround an area or an angle:
    How big is the angle contained by these two sides?