Isolated

/ˈaɪsəleɪtɪd/ adjective

Definition

Far away from other people, places, or things; separated from others. It can also mean happening only once or not connected to other events.

Etymology

From the verb “isolate,” which comes from Italian “isolato,” meaning “made into an island.” That Italian word comes from Latin “insula,” meaning “island.” Over time, the idea of being like an island turned into being alone or cut off.

Kelly Says

When you call something isolated, you’re secretly calling it “island-like” without realizing it. The word still carries this picture of being surrounded by emptiness, like water around an island. That’s why we say an isolated village, an isolated incident, or an isolated system in science.

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