confine
confine Lexical Profile
confine Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To keep or restrict someone or something within certain limits of space, scope, quantity, or time.
"Please confine your remarks to the specific agenda items listed for today's committee meeting."
To shut or keep a person or animal in a small, enclosed space; to prevent someone from leaving a place (especially because of illness, disability, or imprisonment).
"A severe bout of pneumonia confined the elderly author to his bed for nearly three weeks."
• noun
A border, boundary, or outer limit enclosing a space, area, or scope of activity (usually used in the plural).
"The wildlife sanctuary allows the rescued elephants to roam freely within the safe confines of the protected valley."
Word Nuance & Usage
The verb 'confine' is pronounced with the stress on the second syllable (/kənˈfaɪn/), whereas the noun form (almost exclusively used in the plural, 'confines') is stressed on the first syllable (/ˈkɒnfaɪnz/).
• Rhymes for confine
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 14th century from Middle French 'confiner' and directly from Medieval Latin 'confinare' (to border on), derived from Latin 'confinis' (having a common boundary), from 'com-' (together) and 'finis' (boundary or end).