[f. as prec. + -ING1.]
† 1. Behavior, bearing; see CONTAIN 15. Obs.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, X. 284. He wes … Curtas at poynt, and debonar, And of richt sekir contenyng.
1530. Palsgr., 208/1. Conteyning, contenement.
2. Holding, keeping, including, restraining.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 91. Conteynynge, continencia.
1567. Q. Eliz., in Strype, Ann. Ref., I. I. 544. The containing of our subjects in the uniformity of religion.
1677. Hale, Prim. Orig. Man., II. x. 225. The containing of the Generations of Mankind in such an equability and proportion.
1678. Cudworth, Intell. Syst., 127. Conteining belongs to the Material Cause.
† 3. That which is contained; contents, tenor.
c. 1477. Caxton, Jason, 116. The conteynyng therof was this that foloweth.
1611. Shaks., Cymb., V. v. 430. This Labell … whose containing Is so from sense in hardnesse, that I can Make no Collection of it.
