1. [n]  isolation to prevent the spread of infectious disease
2. [n]  enforced isolation of patients suffering from a contagious disease in order to prevent the spread of disease
3. [v]  place into enforce isolation, as for medical reasons; "My dog was quarantined before he could live in England"

Quarantine
This thoroughly researched historical novel is a fictional retelling of the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness. Portrayed as a somewhat confused young man, Jesus is not the only one fasting in that harsh environment; he encounters a varied and eccentric cast of characters, including the lecherous, domineering merchant Musa, who tries to take advantage of the group--and who meets his match in Jesus. Winner of Britain`s Whitbread Prize. A New York Times Notable Book for 1998.

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1. \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.
   Note: 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}.
   

2. \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.
   

1. The limitation on the freedom of movement of an individual, to prevent spread of a disease to other members of a population.
2. A quarantine is a period of isolation of suspected or known disease carriers to prevent the spreading of communicable diseases.