contain
to hold inside
Root
- ten / tain: hold or keep
Other words with the ten / tain root
- abstain: to hold back from doing or taking something
- content: satisfied; also something held inside
- contented: satisfied or at peace
- detain: to hold back
- discontent: dissatisfaction or unrest
- impertinent: rude or not properly relevant
- malcontent: dissatisfied person, often rebellious or resentful
Ten gives hold. Contain means hold inside limits.
The jar could not contain the pressure for long.
Contain can be physical or emotional. A wall contains water; a person contains anger; a paragraph contains an idea. In each case, something is held within a boundary.