The Collaborative International Dictionary
Confine \Con*fine"\ (k[o^]n*f[imac]n"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Confined; p. pr. & vb. n. Confining.] [F. confiner to border upon, LL. confinare to set bounds to; con- + finis boundary, end. See Final, Finish.] To restrain within limits; to restrict; to limit; to bound; to shut up; to inclose; to keep close.
Now let not nature's hand
Keep the wild flood confined! let order die!
--Shak.
He is to confine himself to the compass of numbers and
the slavery of rhyme.
--Dryden.
To be confined, to be in childbed.
Syn: To bound; limit; restrain; imprison; immure; inclose; circumscribe; restrict.
Usage examples of "to be confined".
It would be no pleasant thing to be confined in the Darbyville jail, not to say anything of the anxiety it might cause Kate.
As the men were pushing them toward the entrance to the chamber in which they were to be confined, von Horst saw Durg facing Torp angrily.
To a free man living in the fens, with fresh air to breathe and going about when he chose, where he chose, it was a frightful thing to be confined, and worse to be confined amid filth and the filthy.
He also knew doctors, especially those in the field, and knew he was going to be confined to the ship.
The feeling seemed to be confined to my stomach and was more acute when I faced the spot in question.
Ellen expected that a bitter quarrel would ensue, for she certainly would refuse to be confined to the camp.
Acomat caused his nephew, Argon, to be confined and closely guarded, and, being a man given to his pleasures, he returned to his court to enjoy the society of the fair ladies who were there, leaving the command of the army to a great melic, or chief, with strict orders to keep Argon closely guarded, and to follow him to court by short marches, so as not to fatigue his men.
The three who have shown indifference, are to be confined three months.
Glumdalclitch and I were much fatigued: I had gotten a small cold, but the poor girl was so ill as to be confined to her chamber.
I did know that it was not unusual for slaves to be confined at night.