I. ˈin(t)səˌlāt sometimes ˈin(t)syə- or ˈinshə-; usu -ād.+V transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin insula island + English -ate — more at isle
1. archaic : to form an island of : isolate by surrounding water
2.
a. : to separate or shield (a conductor) from conducting bodies by means of nonconductors so as to prevent transfer of electricity, heat, or sound
b. : to place in a detached situation or in a state of isolation : set apart : segregate , isolate
hysterical symptoms quite commonly serve to insulate the patient — Norman Cameron
insulating man from the natural world
c. : to remove (as specie or a commodity) from the open market : sterilize
a program designed to insulate the government-held surpluses by using them for special purposes
also : to stabilize (a market) by such removal
II. -_lə̇t, -ˌlāt adjective
Etymology: Latin insula island + English -ate
: set apart : isolated