(aslen, s-) [a. F. isolation (1791 in Hatz.-Darm.), n. of action from isoler to ISOLATE.]

1. a. The action of isolating; the fact or condition of being isolated or standing alone; separation from other things or persons; solitariness.

b. The obtaining of a chemical element or compound as a separate substance.

c. spec. The complete separation of patients suffering from a contagious or infectious disease, or of a place so infected, from contact with other persons. Also attrib. in isolation hospital, camp, etc., that by which isolation is effected.

2. a. Psychol. and Sociol. The separation of a person or thing from its normal environment or context, either for purposes of experiment and study or as a result of its being, for some reason, set apart. Also attrib. or as adj.

b. Psychoanal. A defence mechanism whereby a particular wish or thought loses emotional significance by being isolated from its normal context.

3. Biol. The limitation or prevention of interbreeding between groups of plants or animals by geographical, ecological, seasonal, or other factors, leading to the development of new species or varieties.