confine

 

verb

Pronunciation: /kənˈfʌɪn/
[with object] (confine someone/thing to)
  • keep or restrict someone or something within certain limits of (space, scope, or time): he does not confine his message to high politics you’ve confined yourself to what you know
  • (confine someone to/in) restrain or forbid someone from leaving (a place): the troops were confined to their barracks
  • (be confined to) (of a person) be unable to leave (one’s bed, home, or a wheelchair) because of illness or disability: he was confined to bed for four days with a bad dose of flu
  • (be confined) dated (of a woman) remain in bed for a period before, during, and after giving birth: she was confined for nearly a month

noun

Pronunciation: /ˈkɒnfʌɪn/
(confines)
  • the borders or boundaries of a place, especially with regard to their restricting freedom of movement: within the confines of the hall escape was difficult
  • the limits of something abstract, especially a sphere of activity: the narrow confines of political life

Origin:

late Middle English (as a noun): from French confins (plural noun), from Latin confinia, from confinis 'bordering', from con- 'together' + finis 'end, limit' (plural fines 'territory'). The verb senses are from French confiner, based on Latin confinis