containv. t.[OE. contenen, conteinen, F. contenir, fr. L. continere, -tentum; con- + tenere to hold. See Tenable, and cf. Countenance.]1. To hold within fixed limits; to comprise; to include; to inclose; to hold.()Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens can not contain thee; how much less this house! (2 Chron. vi. 18.)When that this body did contain a spirit. (Shak.)What thy stores contain bring forth. (Milton.)2. To have capacity for; to be able to hold; to hold; to be equivalent to; as, a bushel contains four pecks.()3. To put constraint upon; to restrain; to confine; to keep within bounds.()The king's person contains the unruly people from evil occasions. (Spenser.)Fear not, my lord: we can contain ourselves. (Shak.)v. i. To restrain desire; to live in continence or chastity.()But if they can not contain, let them marry. (1 Cor. vii. 9.)