Quarantine
/ˈkwɔːr.ən.tiːn/noun
A period of isolation to prevent the spread of disease.
Did you know?The term originated during the Black Death when ships were isolated for 40 days to ensure they were disease-free, linking the number to purification rituals.
Etymological Timeline
Italian Renaissance
Italian
quarantena
“A period of forty days for isolating ships suspected of carrying plague.”
Late Middle Ages
Latin
quadraginta
“The number forty, associated with purification rituals and religious observances.”
Late Middle Ages
Old French
quarantaine
“A period of forty days, particularly in the context of disease control.”
Modern English
English
quarantine
“Adoption of the isolation practice into English during the rise of public health awareness.”