confine
Definitions
To keep someone or something within limits; to restrict.
限制，约束。
To shut or keep someone in an enclosed space.
禁闭，关押。
The limits or boundaries of something (usually plural).
界限，范围（常用复数）。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedcon- (together, all around) + fīnīre (to bound) = 'to fence in on every side.' The boundary sense of fin is pure here: to confine is to draw limits around someone or something and keep it inside. As a plural noun, 'the confines of' names those edges directly — the walls of a space you cannot get past.
Root fin still carries 30 more wordsUsage Guide
Note the stress and the two structures. As a verb, the stress is on the second syllable: con-FINE (confine the dog to the yard). As a noun it is plural and stressed on the first: the CON-fines of the law. The verb almost always takes 'to': be confined to bed, confine your remarks to the topic.
Example Sentences
- 1.
Please confine your comments to the matter at hand.
- 2.
The illness confined her to bed for a week.
- 3.
Such problems are not confined to big cities.
- 4.
They explored beyond the confines of the old town.