Definition

Adjective: 1. Placed under forced isolation, especially for health reasons: Describes a person, animal, or thing that is officially separated from others to prevent the spread of a contagious disease. Example: The passengers from the affected region were quarantined upon arrival. 2. Restricted or confined in movement due to isolation: More broadly, describes a state of enforced seclusion or restriction. Example: The infected computer files were quarantined by the antivirus software.

Usage Examples

• Public Health:
  • The entire building was quarantined after the outbreak was confirmed.
  • All quarantined individuals must remain in their designated rooms.
• Veterinary/Animal Control:
  • The quarantined dog will be observed for signs of rabies for ten days.
• Technology (Metaphorical):
  • The security system automatically quarantined the suspicious email attachment. (Here, "quarantined" is the past tense of the verb, illustrating the action that results in a "quarantined" state for the file).

Advanced Usage

• "To be placed in quarantine" vs. "To be quarantined": Both are commonly used. "Placed in quarantine" often emphasizes the official action, while "quarantined" can describe the resulting state.
  • The travelers were placed in quarantine for 14 days.
  • The travelers were quarantined for 14 days.
• Figurative Use: Used to describe any enforced separation or isolation, not strictly medical.
  • The controversial report was effectively quarantined within the committee, never reaching the public.

Variants and Related Words

• Quarantine (noun): The state, period, or place of isolation.
  • The ship was held in quarantine.
• Quarantine (verb): To impose isolation on.
  • Authorities will quarantine the zone.
• Self-quarantine (noun/verb): To voluntarily isolate oneself.
  • Employees were advised to self-quarantine if they experienced symptoms.

Synonyms

• Isolated: Set apart from others. (A more general term; "quarantined" implies an official, often compulsory, isolation for health/safety).
• Secluded: Kept away from others, often for privacy.
• Segregated: Separated, especially from a main group.
• Confined: Kept within limits; restricted.

Antonyms

• Free
• Released
• Unrestricted
• Integrated

Related Phrases/Idioms

• To lift a quarantine: To officially end the period of isolation.
  • The quarantine on the neighborhood was lifted after no new cases were found.
• Quarantine period/duration: The specific length of time for isolation.
  • The standard quarantine period is five days.

Adjective

1. under forced isolation especially for health reasons
   • a quarantined animal
   • isolated patients