The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word CONFINE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
C
O
N
F
I
N
E
More clues leading to the result CONFINE
- Restrict prisoner very well
- Disadvantage with very good pen
- Enclose penalty payment after swindle
- Do well to shut up
- Intern beginning to come on very well
- He opposes penalty limit
- Bound to be against punishment
- Incarcerate prisoner, adding another form of punishment
- Lock up prisoner? Excellent!
- Do well to shut up!
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Imprison" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case imprison = confine.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does CONFINE mean?
CONFINE noun- (chiefly in the plural) A boundary or limit.
- To restrict; to keep within bounds; to shut or keep in a limited space or area.
- To have a common boundary; to border; to lie contiguous; to touch; followed by on or with.