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Immure Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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immure

[ɪˈmjʊr ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

to confine

To immure means to confine someone within walls or to shut them in. It can refer to physical confinement as well as metaphorical restraint. This term often conveys a sense of imprisoning or enclosing someone in an isolated or restricted space.

Synonyms

confine, enclose, entomb, trap.

Examples of usage

  • He was immured in the dark cellar.
  • The ancient monks chose to immure themselves from the outside world.
  • They felt immured by the strict regulations of society.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • The term has been used in classic literature to describe characters who are trapped by societal expectations.
  • Edgar Allan Poe's works often portray themes of entrapment, using language that evokes confinement similar to 'immure'.
  • Shakespeare utilized the sense of being 'immured' in the context of emotional or physical walls in plays like 'Romeo and Juliet'.

Psychology

  • Feeling immured can relate to psychological concepts of isolation and confinement, impacting mental health.
  • Individuals may experience emotional immurement when trapped in toxic relationships or environments.
  • Therapeutic practices often address the feelings of being immured to help people navigate their emotional landscapes.

Architecture

  • Architecturally, to immure can refer to the practice of building walls that enclose and create boundaries in structures.
  • Historically, certain buildings were designed to immure – like fortresses or dungeons – to protect against intruders.
  • Modern architecture sometimes explores concepts of immure by designing spaces that create feelings of safety or confinement.

Art

  • Artists have depicted immurement in various forms, illustrating the themes of restriction and solitude in sculptures and paintings.
  • Contemporary art may explore the concept of emotional immurement, representing feelings of entrapment through abstract forms.
  • The visual representation of immurement can evoke strong emotional responses, as viewers relate to feelings of being trapped.

Origin of 'immure'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'immunire', which means 'to enclose' or 'to protect'.
  • It combines the prefix 'in-' (meaning 'in') with 'murus' (meaning 'wall'), suggesting a sense of being within walls.
  • The usage in English dates back to the 16th century, reflecting various forms of confinement.

The word 'immure' originates from the Latin 'murus', meaning 'wall'. It developed through the Old French 'emeurer', which essentially means 'to put within walls'. The prefix 'im-' indicates 'in' or 'within', emphasizing the idea of being enclosed or confined inside a space. The full term has carried connotations of imprisonment and restriction since it was incorporated into the English language in the late 15th century. Over time, 'immure' has been used both in a literal sense to describe physical confinement, such as being shut within walls, and in a metaphorical sense to describe emotional or psychological entrapment.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,141, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.