Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Quarantine
Quar′an-tine
,Noun.
[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.
☞ 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)
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
.Quarˊan-tine′
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Quarantined
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Quarantining
.] 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.
Webster 1828 Edition
Quarantine
QUAR'ANTINE
,Noun.
1.
Properly, the space of forty days; appropriately, the term of forty days during which a ship arriving in port and suspected of being infected with a malignant, contagious disease, is obliged to forbear all intercourse with the city or place. Hence,2.
Restraint of intercourse to which a ship is subjected on the presumption that she may be infected, either for forty days or for any other limited term. It is customary for the proper officers to determine the period of restraint at their discretion, according to circumstances. Hence we hear of a quarantine of five days, of ten, of thirty, &c. as well as of forty. We say, a ship performs quarantine, or rides at quarantine. We also apply the word to persons. The passengers and crew perform quarantine.3.
In law, the period of forty days, during which the widow of a man dying seized of land, has the privilege of remaining to the mansion house.