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insulate

verb, adj — 3 senses

insulate

verb

UK /ˈɪnsjʊleɪt/ · US /ˈɪnsʊleɪt/

Etymology From Latin īnsula (“isle, island”) + -ate (verb-forming suffix) or from Late Latin īnsulātus (“made an island”), see etymology at -ate. First attested in the 16th century; the general verb īnsulō (“insulate”) is attested only in New Latin and postdates the English term, but influence from an otherwise unattested Medieval Latin counterpart cannot be ruled out. Piecewise doublet of isolate.

1

To separate, detach, or isolate.

2

To separate a body or material from others, e.g. by non-conductors to prevent the transfer of electricity, heat, etc.

  • Ceramic can be used to insulate power lines.
Synonyms
isolate
Derived terms
insulating tape, insulation, insulationism, insulationist, insulative, insulator, insulite, reinsulate, superinsulate, underinsulate, uninsulate
Related terms
insulable, insular, insulation, isolation, peninsula

insulate

adj

Etymology From Latin īnsula (“isle, island”) + -ate (verb-forming suffix) or from Late Latin īnsulātus (“made an island”), see etymology at -ate. First attested in the 16th century; the general verb īnsulō (“insulate”) is attested only in New Latin and postdates the English term, but influence from an otherwise unattested Medieval Latin counterpart cannot be ruled out. Piecewise doublet of isolate.

1

Of pollen or spores, with superficial ornamentation grouped in circular or polygonal areas separated by grooves.

  • Among nonwinged grains, the sexine is rugulate, insulate, or microverrucate.1983, Walter H. Lewis, Prathibha Vinay, Vincent E. Zenger, Airborne and Allergenic Pollen of North America, page 239:
  • Pollen insulate when the elements are grouped in circular or polygonal areas separated by grooves.[2017, Bee Products – Chemical and Biological Properties:

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.

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