Aïllament

Aïllament is a Catalan noun that refers to the act or state of separating something or someone from others or from a surrounding environment. It can denote physical separation, but also the prevention of transfer of energy, matter, or information. The term is used in a variety of contexts, often with specific qualifiers such as thermal, acoustic, or electrical.

In construction and engineering, aïllament tèrmic refers to materials and measures that reduce heat transfer between bodies or spaces; aïllament acústic seeks to limit sound transmission; aïllament elèctric concerns insulation that prevents unwanted electrical conduction. In medicine and public health, aïllament hospitalari or d’un pacient describes procedures to prevent the spread of infectious agents, with classifications such as contact, droplet, or airborne isolation.

In biology and ecology, aïllament denotes either the physical or reproductive separation of populations, which can lead to divergent evolution and speciation. In microbiology, it can mean the isolation of a microorganism from a sample for study. In social contexts, aïllament social describes the condition of reduced social contact or interaction.

Etymology-wise, the noun derives from the verb aïllar, meaning to isolate or detach, itself related to languages and terms for separating or setting apart. See also related concepts such as isolation, insularization, and the verb form aïllar.