ten/tain
ten / teɪn
Containing something and paying attention are the same grip
The picture A hand closed tight around something and not letting go. What the word means depends on what is being held, and where. cap is the hand closing on it; ten is the hand that goes on holding.
Where the picture shows up in ten/tain
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Held inside
Does this contain nuts?
dʌz ðɪs kənˈteɪn nʌts
Does this have nuts in it?
Nuts shut inside the bag, held in.
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Held up over time
We maintain the machines every month.
wiː meɪnˈteɪn ðə məˈʃiːnz ˈevri mʌnθ
We service the machines every month.
A screw that keeps working loose, tightened back down every month.
main (hand) + tain (hold): it only stays up as long as a hand keeps holding it.
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Pulled in and held
You need to obtain a permit first.
juː niːd tuː əbˈteɪn ə ˈpɜːrmɪt fɜːrst
You'll need to get a permit first.
A paper pulled across the counter and into your own hand.
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Mind held on one spot
Please pay attention to the sign.
pliːz peɪ əˈtenʃən tuː ðə saɪn
Please look at that sign.
A wandering gaze tied down to one notice on the wall.
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The one holding the place
The tenant moved out last week.
ðə ˈtenənt muːvd aʊt læst wiːk
The tenant moved out last week.
Someone living in the place with its key still in their hand.
All of it in one picture
ten and tain are a grip that does not let go. Hold something inside and it is contained; keep holding as time passes and you maintain; pull it in and hold it and you obtain. Tie your mind down to one spot and it is attention; hold on to the place you live in and you are the tenant. Every ten or tain word leaves the same trace: something is being held, and held somewhere.