quarantining

noun

1. 1. the period, orig. 40 days, during which an arriving vessel suspected of carrying contagious disease is detained in port in strict isolation
   2. the place where such a vessel is stationed
2. any isolation or restriction on travel or passage imposed to keep contagious diseases, insect pests, etc. from spreading
3. the state of being quarantined
4. a place where persons, animals, or plants having contagious diseases, insect pests, etc. are kept in isolation, or beyond which they may not travel
5. any period of seclusion, social ostracism, etc.

Origin: It quarantina, lit., space of forty days < quaranta, forty < L quadraginta < base of quattuor, four

transitive verb quarantined, quarantining

1. to place under quarantine
2. to isolate politically, commercially, socially, etc.