confiner

confine, border on

verb kon-fee-NEH Rare

Origin: Latin confinare, from confinis (bordering)

Also means

to shut in, isolate

Usage Note

Confiner has two main uses: confiner à means 'to border on' or 'to verge on' something (e.g., cela confine à l'absurde), while confiner quelqu'un means 'to confine or restrict someone'. The reflexive se confiner means 'to shut oneself away'. The word gained much broader everyday use during the COVID-19 pandemic via confinement ('lockdown').

Examples

"Cette attitude confine à l'arrogance."

Natural Translation

This attitude borders on arrogance.

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