Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CON-TAIN', v.t. [L. contineo; con and teneo, to hold; It. contenere; Fr. contenir; Sp. contener. See Tenet, Tenure.]

1. To hold, as a vessel; as, the vessel contains a gallon. Hence, to have capacity; to be able to hold; applied to an empty vessel.
2. To comprehend; to hold within specified limits. Behold the heaven and the heaven of heavens can not continue thee. – 1 Kings viii.
3. To comprehend; to comprise. The history of Livy contains a hundred and forty books.
4. To hold within limits prescribed; to restrain; to withhold from trespass or disorder. The king's person contains the unruly people from evil occasions. [Obs.] – Spenser. Fear not, my Lord, we can contain ourselves. – Shak.
5. To include. This article is not contained in the account. This number does not contain the article specified.
6. To inclose; as, this cover or envelop contains a letter.