Quarantine

The time (formerly forty days) during which a ve el from ports infected with contagious or epidemic diseases is required by law to remain outside the port of its destination, as a safeguard against the spreading of such disease. Also, the place of detention. Q., Land, the isolation of a person or district on land for similar purposes. Q. Period, the length of time required to insure immunity after exposure, or the length of time nece ary after an attack, to render the disease innocuous.