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Confine: meaning, definitions and examples

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confine

 

[kənˈfaɪn ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

to restrict movement

To confine means to keep someone or something within certain limits, such as in a specific area or space. It can also refer to restricting someone's freedom or movement.

Synonyms

limit, restrain, restrict.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
confine

Used when referring to keeping someone or something within certain boundaries, often physical, such as a room, building, or other enclosed space.

  • The patient was confined to his room during the quarantine.
  • The sailors were confined to the ship for days due to the storm.
limit

Applicable when referring to setting a maximum or minimum boundary on something, such as quantity, time, or ability.

  • The company decided to limit the budget for the project.
  • You should limit your screen time to avoid eye strain.
restrict

Appropriate for indicating placing rules or limitations on someone or something, and can apply to movement, actions, or access. It often carries a sense of regulation or prohibition.

  • The new policy will restrict public access to the library during weekends.
  • The diet plan restricts the intake of sugar and carbs.
restrain

Used when indicating holding back someone or something physically or metaphorically, often with a sense of control or restriction. The word often has a slightly negative or forceful connotation.

  • It took three officers to restrain the suspect.
  • She had to restrain herself from yelling during the meeting.

Examples of usage

  • He was confined to his room until he finished his homework.
  • The prisoners were confined to their cells for the majority of the day.
Context #2 | Noun

a boundary or border

As a noun, confine refers to a boundary, border, or limit that marks the extent of something. It can also be used to describe the borders of a specific area.

Synonyms

border, boundary, limit.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
confine

Used when talking about restricting someone or something within certain limits. Often has a negative connotation as it implies restriction.

  • The prisoners were confined to their cells
  • Her illness confines her to the house
boundary

Typically used to define the limits of an area, often in a more abstract or figurative sense like personal space. Neutral connotation.

  • You need to respect my personal boundaries
  • The boundary between the two properties is marked by a fence
border

Used to describe the edge or boundary of a geographical area, usually between countries or regions. Neutral connotation.

  • We crossed the border into Canada
  • The river forms a natural border between the two states
limit

Used when specifying the maximum point or level something can reach. Often implies a restriction but not necessarily negative.

  • There is a limit to how much stress one can endure
  • The speed limit on this road is 60 km/h

Examples of usage

  • The river acted as a natural confine between the two territories.
  • The fence served as the confine of the property.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'confinare', meaning 'to bound together'.
  • Con 'together' and 'finis' meaning 'end' combine to imply boundaries.
  • It evolved through Old French as 'confiner' before entering Middle English.

Psychology

  • In behavioral studies, considering the space where one feels confined can impact mental well-being.
  • Feelings of confinement can lead to anxiety and restlessness in certain environments.
  • Therapeutic settings often use the concept of confinement to explore personal boundaries.

Cultural Usage

  • In literature, confinement often symbolizes isolation, as seen in stories about characters who are trapped physically or emotionally.
  • Many artists explore themes of confinement, using visual metaphors to express feelings of restriction.
  • Historically, confinement has been a central theme in various cultural narratives about freedom and oppression.

Legal Context

  • In legal terms, confinement refers to the restriction of an individual's freedom, often within a controlled environment like a prison.
  • Confining practices in law can raise ethical questions, particularly concerning human rights.
  • The concept is also significant in discussions about minors and their guardians’ rights to limit freedoms.

Science

  • In biology, confinement is used to describe restrictively housing organisms for study, such as in a laboratory setting.
  • The concept of confinement is also relevant in physics, particularly in discussions of particle behavior in condensed matter systems.
  • Confinement phenomena are observed in different scientific fields, illustrating how boundary conditions affect outcomes.

Translations

Translations of the word "confine" in other languages:

🇵🇹 confinar

🇮🇳 सीमित करना

🇩🇪 einschränken

🇮🇩 membatasi

🇺🇦 обмежувати

🇵🇱 ograniczać

🇯🇵 制限する (せいげんする)

🇫🇷 confiner

🇪🇸 limitar

🇹🇷 sınırlamak

🇰🇷 제한하다

🇸🇦 تقييد

🇨🇿 omezit

🇸🇰 obmedziť

🇨🇳 限制 (xiànzhì)

🇸🇮 omejiti

🇮🇸 takmarka

🇰🇿 шектеу

🇬🇪 შეზღუდვა

🇦🇿 məhdudlaşdırmaq

🇲🇽 limitar

Word Frequency Rank

Position #7,919 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.