quarantine

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]