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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Contene, Conteyn(e, v.² Also: contine. [ME. contene (c 1300), contyne, app. by confusion between contenew and Contene,v.¹]

1. tr. To continue, maintain, keep up. 1375 Barb. viii. 68.
Thar fayis met thaim sa sturdely, And contenyt the fycht sa hardily, That [etc.] c1420 Wynt. ii. 2.
Now have yhe herde on quhatkyn wyis I have contenyt this tretys … Tyll this tyme Ib. viii. 5321.
It has bene seldyn sene That … justyng thus has bene Contenyt thre dayis c1475 Wall. viii. 1687.
The harrold … Contende the tyme with worschip and plesance c1420 Wynt. i. 15 (W).
The thrid buke sall contenit be Till of Rome wer maid the cite 1585 Inverness B. Rec. I. 303.
Be the quhilk lettir of bailyerie the said Huchoun Fraysser is contenit baillie for the space of thre yeiris

2. intr. To continue, remain, last. c1475 Wall. i. 158.
Thus he conteynde in till hys tendyr age Ib. v. 834.
Hardy and hat contenyt the fell melle Ib. x. 858; etc.
The derff schot … Contende tharwith the space ner off ane hour c1515 Asl. MS. I. 225/21.
Thair was cryit ane gret indulgence gevin to Glasgw, … contenand iiij monethis c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxxxv. 41.
Haile, clene, bedene, ay till conteyne 15.. Clar. v. 2061.
So monie ane valiant … knight Into ane feild, [and] dought so long contine