Definition of confine
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
confines plural
a
: something (such 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 sense 3
work within the confines of a small group— Frank Newman
confine
verb
confined; confining
Definition of confine (Entry 2 of 2)
archaic
: border
1a
: to hold within a location
Dikes confined the floodwaters.
b
: imprison
2
: to keep within limits
will confine my remarks to one subject
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for confine
The first known use of confine was in the 15th century
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