containing
UK[kənˈteɪnɪŋ]US[kənˈteɪnɪŋ]
v
(present participle of contain) to have something inside or as a part of itself.
v
(present participle of contain) to keep something harmful within limits; to control or restrain.
Etymology
the verb 'contain' originates from the latin word 'continēre', meaning "to hold together, enclose, or keep within bounds." this latin term is a compound of 'con-', a prefix signifying "together," and 'tenēre', meaning "to hold." the root 'tenēre' descends from the proto-indo-european root 'ten-', which conveys the sense of "to stretch," a concept that evolved into notions of holding and maintaining. the present participle form 'containing' entered english through old french, retaining the core concept of holding something within a defined space or limit, which logically extends to both physical enclosure and the figurative control of forces or emotions.
Analysis
the word 'containing' is the present participle and gerund form of the verb 'contain'. it is not segmented into smaller, meaningful morphemes in modern english without altering the base word's spelling. the analysis focuses on its root, 'contain'.
Examples
the box containing the documents was securely locked.
firefighters worked for hours containing the forest blaze.
she had difficulty containing her excitement at the news.