/ kənˈfaɪn; NAmE / verb [ vn ]
1.
confine sb/sth to sth [ often passive ] to keep sb/sth inside the limits of a particular activity, subject, area, etc.
SYN restrict :
The work will not be confined to the Glasgow area.
I will confine myself to looking at the period from 1900 to 1916.
2.
confine sb/sth (in sth) [ usually passive ] to keep a person or an animal in a small or closed space :
Keep the dog confined in a suitable travelling cage.
Here the river is confined in a narrow channel.
The soldiers concerned were confined to barracks (= had to stay in the barracks , as a punishment)
3.
be confined to bed, a wheelchair, etc. to have to stay in bed, in a wheelchair , etc. :
She was confined to bed with the flu.
He was confined to a wheelchair after the accident.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (as a noun): from French confins (plural noun), from Latin confinia , from confinis bordering, from con- together + finis end, limit (plural fines territory). The verb senses are from French confiner , based on Latin confinis .