Category:Quarantine

Quar"an*tine, n. Etym: [f. quarantaine, of. quaranteine, fr. F. Quarante forty, l. quadraginta, akin to quattuor four, and e. four: Cf. It. quarantina, quarentine. See four, and cf. Quadragesima.]

1. A space of forty days; -- used of lent.

2. Specifically, the term, originally of forty days, during which a Ship arriving in port, and suspected of being infected a malignant Contagious disease, is obliged to forbear all intercourse with the Shore; hence, such restraint or inhibition of intercourse; also, the Place where infected or prohibited vessels are stationed.

Note: quarantine is now applied also to any forced stoppage of travel Or communication on account of malignant contagious disease, on land As well as by sea.

3. (eng. Law)

Defn: the period of forty days during which the widow had the Privilege of remaining in the mansion house of which her husband died Seized. Quarantine flag, a yellow flag hoisted at the fore of a Vessel or hung from a building, to give warning of an infectious Disease; -- called also the yellow jack, and yellow flag.

Quarantine Quar`an*tine", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Quarantined; p. pr. & vb. n. Quarantining.]

Defn: to compel to remain at a distance, or in a given place, without Intercourse, when suspected of having contagious disease; to put Under, or in, quarantine.