The word "contains" is spelled with two syllables: /kənˈteɪnz/. The first syllable /kən/ is pronounced with a short vowel sound and the stress falls on the second syllable /ˈteɪnz/. The spelling of this word follows the standard English rules for consonant sounds and syllable structure. The "c" and "t" are both pronounced with their hard sounds, and the final "s" is added to indicate a plural noun for a container that has multiple contents.
Contains is a transitive verb used to describe the act of holding or enclosing something within a larger entity or container. It refers to the state of having or including something as a component or part of a larger whole.
In the physical sense, to contain means to have a particular substance, object, or element located within the boundaries or space of another object or entity. For example, a glass bottle contains water, meaning that the water is held or stored inside the bottle.
The term can also be applied in a more abstract or figurative context. It can describe the act of embodying or comprising certain characteristics, qualities, or features. For instance, a book may contain valuable information, suggesting that the book possesses or holds that information within its pages.
In addition, contains can imply controlling, repressing, or restraining something within limits or constraints. For example, a well-designed plan contains potential risks, indicating that the plan incorporates measures to mitigate or control those risks.
Moreover, contains can refer to the act of having jurisdiction, authority, or influence over something. In this sense, it suggests that a certain entity possesses the power or ability to govern, manage, or regulate. For instance, a government contains various departments, illustrating the government's authority over those departments.
In summary, contains refers to the act of holding, enclosing, having within, or including something as part of a larger entity or system, whether in a physical, abstract, or metaphorical sense.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word contains originated from the Latin word contenere, which is a combination of the prefix con- meaning together and the verb tenere meaning to hold. Therefore, the etymology of contains implies to hold together or to keep within.