/kən'teɪn; kən`ten/
v [Tn] (not in the continuous tenses 不用于进行时态)
1 (a) have or hold (sth) within itself 包含; 含有
*The atlas contains forty maps. 这地图集共有四十幅地图.
* Whisky contains a large percentage of alcohol. 威士忌所含酒精的百分比很高.
* What does that box contain? 那个盒子里装的是什么?
* Her statement contained several inaccuracies. 她的言词有几处不确切.
(b) be capable of holding (sth) 可容纳（某事物）
*This barrel contains
50 litres. 这个桶容量为50升.
2 (a) keep (sth/oneself) under control; keep within limits; hold back 控制（某事物[自己]）; 抑制; 克制
*I was so furious I couldn't contain myself, ie had to express my feelings. 我气极了, 无法克制自己.
* Please contain your enthusiasm for a moment. 请你暂且控制住感情.
* She could hardly contain her excitement. 她抑制不住内心的激动.
(b) prevent (sth) from spreading harmfully or becoming more serious 阻止（某事物）的蔓延或恶化
*Has the revolt been contained? 叛乱是否已受到遏止?
3 (geometry 几) form the boundary of (sth) 作（某事物）的边
*the angle contained by two sides of a triangle 三角形两边的夹角.
4 (mathematics 数) be capable of being divided by (a number) exactly 可被（某数）除尽; （某数）可整除:
12 contains 2, 3,
4 and
6 12可被2、3、4、6除尽.

v [T]

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1【container/place】
2【writing/speech】
3【substance】
4【control feelings】
5【stop something】
6【maths】

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[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French;Origin: contenir, from Latin continere 'to hold together, hold in, contain', from com- ( COM-) + tenere 'to hold']
【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.
【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 sth
　The proposed changes are contained in a policy statement.
【SUBSTANCE】
if a substance contains something, that thing is part of it
　This product may contain nuts.
【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.
【STOP SOMETHING】
to stop something from spreading or escaping
　Doctors are struggling to contain the epidemic.
　measures aimed at containing political opposition
→self-contained
【MATHS】
technical to surround an area or an angle
　How big is the angle contained by these two sides?