这些动词均含“监禁”之意。
confine : 指监禁或幽禁；也指任何使行动受到限制的行为。
- The hostages had been confined for so long that they couldn't cope with the outside world.
人质被关押了那么久，以致于他们对外面的世界一时适应不了。 - Keep the dog confined in a suitable travelling cage.
把狗关进适于旅行的笼子里。 - Here the river is confined in a narrow channel.
这条河在这里流入狭窄的河床。 - The soldiers concerned were confined to barracks (= had to stay in the barracks , as a punishment).
有关的士兵已受到不得离开营房的禁闭处分。
imprison : 较正式用词，多指较长时间的监禁。
- He was imprisoned in 1965 for attempted murder.
他因谋杀未遂于1965年被监禁。 - Unable to go out because of the deep snow, she felt imprisoned in her own house.
她因雪深无法外出，感觉自己像被囚在了屋内。 - They were imprisoned for possession of drugs.
他们因拥有毒品而被监禁。 - Some young mothers feel imprisoned in their own homes.
有些年轻的母亲感到待在家里如同坐牢。
jail : （英国用gaol）多指审判之间的拘禁或对罪行较轻的罪犯的监禁。
- He was jailed for life for murder.
他因谋杀罪被终身监禁。 - He was jailed for three years.
他被监禁了3年。
