self-containment

[self-kuhn-teyn-muhnt, self-]

noun

1. the state of being self-contained.

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-containment¹

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

But Purvis especially, in spite of Patience’s self-containment, radiates quiet charisma — new-star power.

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This aim of self-containment, back turned to the street outside, has long put big hotel lobbies out of favor with urbanists.

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As Shiv, Snook is all tiny trembles and self-containment, but as Anna, her performance is grander, wider, far more open; this Anna is reckless in ways Shiv would never be.

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In the climax, as she watches her love die in her arms, her self-containment fractures.

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Perhaps the most touching works in the Philadelphia show are those that suggest the longer arc of Scully’s career, from purity to messiness, rigidity to freedom, self-containment to self-expression.

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