contain

Where does the word "contain" come from? It comes from Latin continere, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).

Contain’s story begins in Latin: continere meant “to hold together.” To hold together, from com- (together) and tenere (to hold). It reached English by 1300s as contain. Settled as the English word for holding something within limits. Today, contain means to have or hold something within itself, or to keep something within limits.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient continere "to hold together", to hold together, from com- (together) and tenere (to hold).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1300s contain "to hold something within itself, or keep it within limits", settled as the English word for holding something within limits.