Guarantine

/ˈɡwɑːrəntɪn/ noun

Definition

An archaic or variant spelling of quarantine; isolation to prevent the spread of disease or a period of confinement.

Etymology

A rare spelling variant of quarantine, which comes from Italian quaranta giorni, 'forty days'—the length ships were isolated during plague years.

Kelly Says

This variant spelling shows how English was still sorting out word origins in the 1600s-1700s when people weren't sure if it came from 'quaran-' or 'guaran-'!

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