immure
UK: ɪˈmjʊə | US: ɪˈmjʊr
vt. to enclose or confine someone within walls; to imprison
vt. (figuratively) to isolate or cut off from the outside world
The word immure originates from the Latin immurare, combining in- (into) and murus (wall). It originally described the physical act of walling someone in, often as a form of punishment. Over time, it gained a figurative sense, referring to isolation or confinement beyond literal walls. The logic is straightforward: "into walls" → "to imprison."
The king ordered his enemies to be immured in the castle dungeon.
She felt immured by the strict rules of her boarding school.
Ancient tombs sometimes immured valuables with the deceased.
The pandemic immured many people in their homes for months.
His obsession with work immured him from social interactions.