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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Isolate: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (3 meaning)

Meaning 1：quarantine (isolate)

isolate 🔊

/ˈaɪ.sə.leɪt/

vt.

To separate a sick person or a source of infection from others to stop a disease from spreading.

quarantine 🔊

➕

/kwɒr.ən.tiːn/

vt.

To physically separate someone or something to prevent the spread of disease or contamination.

📁 Category：Diet & Health 🔖 Level：Elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Italian 'isola' (island) + verb suffix -ate, literally 'to make into an island'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'I SO late' to a party because I was ISOLATED (set apart) due to illness.

📖 Example

If you have a fever, it's important to isolate yourself at home to protect your family. 🔊 If you have a fever, it's important to quarantine yourself at home to protect your family.

🔗 Collocations

isolate a patient – to keep a patient separate from others

isolate the virus – to separate the virus from a sample for study

isolate oneself – to separate oneself from contact with others

🔄 Synonyms

quarantine (vt.) – to isolate people or animals who may have a contagious disease

segregate (vt.) – to set apart from others, often by category or group

separate (vt.) – to cause to move or be apart

🚫 Antonyms

integrate (vt.) – to combine one thing with another to form a whole

unite (v.) – to join together for a common purpose

connect (vt.) – to bring into contact or join

🌱 Derivatives

isolation (n.) – the state of being separated from others

isolated (adj.) – far away from other places, buildings, or people; remote

📖 Cultural Story

Entered English in the 19th century via French from Italian 'isola' (island), itself from Latin 'insula'. It originally described physical separation (like an island) and was used in scientific and medical contexts before expanding to social and psychological ones.

Meaning 2：extract (isolate)

isolate 🔊

/ˈaɪ.sə.leɪt/

vt.

In science, to find and separate a particular substance, gene, or piece of information from a mixture for study.

extract 🔊

➕

/ɪkˈstrækt/

vt.

To identify and separate a specific element, substance, or piece of data from a complex mixture for detailed examination.

📁 Category：Technological Inventions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

Scientists managed to isolate the active ingredient in the plant that helps reduce pain. 🔊 Scientists managed to extract the active ingredient in the plant that helps reduce pain.

🔗 Collocations

isolate a gene – to separate a specific gene for genetic research

isolate a variable – to single out one factor in an experiment to study its effect

isolate data – to separate specific information from a larger dataset

🔄 Synonyms

extract (vt.) – to remove or take out something, especially by effort

separate (vt.) – to divide into constituent or distinct elements

detect (vt.) – to discover or identify the presence of something

🚫 Antonyms

combine (v.) – to join or merge to form a single entity

mix (vt.) – to combine or put together into one substance or mass

🌱 Derivatives

isolation (n.) – the process of isolating a substance or germ

Meaning 3：alienate (isolate)

isolate 🔊

/ˈaɪ.sə.leɪt/

vt.

To make someone feel alone and cut off from other people, often leading to feelings of loneliness.

Visual of social isolation and alienation, depicting the emotional meaning of to isolate someone.

alienate 🔊

➕

/ˈeɪ.li.ə.neɪt/

vt.

To cause someone to feel alone, detached, and unsupported by others, often leading to emotional distress.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

Moving to a new city where she knew no one made her feel isolated during the first few months. 🔊 Moving to a new city where she knew no one made her feel alienated during the first few months.

🔗 Collocations

feel isolated – to experience loneliness or separation from a group

isolate someone socially – to exclude someone from social activities or groups

🔄 Synonyms

alienate (vt.) – to cause someone to feel isolated or estranged

estrange (vt.) – to cause someone to be no longer close or affectionate

detach (vt.) – to disconnect or separate, especially emotionally

🚫 Antonyms

befriend (vt.) – to act as a friend to someone

unite (v.) – to come or bring together for a common purpose

🌱 Derivatives

isolated (adj.) – feeling alone and unhappy because of being separated from other people

isolation (n.) – a state of loneliness or lack of contact with others