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   confine

   verb

   • 1. keep or restrict someone or something within certain limits of (space, scope, or time): "he does not confine his message to high politics" Similar encloseincarcerateimprisoninternimpoundhold captivetrapshut in/upkeeppen in/upcagelock in/upcoop (up)box up/inimmuremew upfence inhedge inhurdlerail inwall in/upencirclesurroundringencompasshem inclose inkettlecorralrare:girdcompassrestrictlimitkeep within the limits ofnot allow to go beyondOpposite release
   • ▪ restrain or forbid someone from leaving (a place): "the troops were confined to their barracks"
   • ▪ (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"
   • ▪ (of a woman) remain in bed for a period before, during, and after giving birth: "she was confined for nearly a month"

   noun

   • 1. 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"

   Word 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.

   Scrabble Points: 12

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