isolation

1. In microbiology, separation of an organism from others, usually by making serial cultures. 2. Separation for the period of communicability of infected persons or animals from others, so as to prevent or limit the direct or indirect transmission of the infectious agent from those who are infected to those who are susceptible.

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iso·la·tion .ī-sə-'lā-shən n

1) the action of isolating or condition of being isolated <\isolation of a virus> <put the patient in \isolation>

2) a segregation of a group of organisms from related forms in such a manner as to prevent crossing

3) a psychological defense mechanism consisting of the separating of ideas or memories from the emotions connected with them

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n.

1. the separation of a person with an infectious disease from noninfected people. See also quarantine.

2. (in surgery) the separation of a structure from surrounding structures by the use of instruments.

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iso·la·tion (i″so-laґshən) 1. the process of isolating, or the state of being isolated. 2. physical separation of a part, as by tissue culture or by interposition of inert material. 3. the extraction and purification of a chemical substance of unknown structure from a natural source. 4. the separation of infected individuals from those uninfected for the period of communicability of a particular disease; cf. quarantine (def. 1). 5. the successive propagation of a growth of microorganisms until a pure culture is obtained. 6. a type of defense mechanism in which emotions are separated from the ideas, impulses, or memories to which they usually connect, so that the idea or impulse enters consciousness detached from its unacceptable feeling. Called also isolation of affect.