isolate
/aɪˈsoʊleɪt/ · i.s.o.l.a.te
verb
- To set apart or cut off from others, often to prevent the spread of disease or infection. The hospital staff isolated the patient with the contagious illness to prevent further transmission.
- To place in quarantine or isolation, often as a precautionary measure. The authorities isolated the area where the suspicious package was found to ensure public safety.
- To separate a substance in pure form from a mixture, often through a process of chemical or physical separation. The chemist isolated the pure compound from the mixture using a series of careful distillations.
noun
- Something that has been isolated, often from others or from a mixture. The scientist studied the isolated compound to understand its properties and behavior.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Did you know? The term 'isolate' has been used in various contexts, including medicine, chemistry, and social sciences. In the 19th century, the term 'isolation' was used to describe the practice of separating individuals with mental illnesses from society, highlighting the complex and multifaceted nature of the word.