[laz.a.ret.to] or laz.a.ret also laz.a.rette n, pl -rettos or -rets also -rettes [It lazzaretto, alter. of Nazaretto, quarantine station in Venice, fr. Santa Maria di Nazareth, church on the island where it was located] (1549) 1 usu lazaretto: an institution (as a hospital) for those with contagious diseases
2: a building or a ship used for detention in quarantine 3 usu lazaret: a space in a ship between decks used as a storeroom