from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
[1913 Webster]
Now let not nature's hand
Keep the wild flood confined! let order die! --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
He is to confine himself to the compass of numbers and
the slavery of rhyme. --Dryden.
[1913 Webster]
{To be confined}, to be in childbed.
Syn: To bound; limit; restrain; imprison; immure; inclose;
circumscribe; restrict.
[1913 Webster]