Main Entry:

¹con·fine

Pronunciation:

\ˈkän-ˌfīn also kən-ˈ\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French confines, plural, from Latin confine border, from neuter of confinis adjacent, from com- + finis end

Date:

15th century

1plural a: something (as borders or walls) that encloses <outside the confines of the office or hospital — W. A. Nolen> ; also : something that restrains <escape from the confines of soot and clutter — E. S. Muskie> b: scope 3 <work within the confines of a small group — Frank Newman>2 aarchaic : restriction bobsolete : prison