Quar"an*tine (?), n. [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.
Quar`an*tine" (?), v. 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.