insulate

CEFRC1

/ˈɪnsjʊleɪt/

verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    To protect something from heat, cold, sound, or electricity.

  2. 02

    verb

    Extra detail

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

Examples

  • You'll end up getting an electric shock if you don't insulate that wire.

  • Ceramic can be used to insulate power lines.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
4
Parts of speech
1
Citations
2
Synonyms
1

Also pronounced

  • [ˈɪns(j)ʊle(ɪ)t]
  • /ˈɪnsʊleɪt/

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meanings

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

  2. To separate, detach, or isolate.

More examples

In context

  • Try to insulate yourself.

  • Among nonwinged grains, the sexine is rugulate, insulate, or microverrucate.

  • Pollen insulate when the elements are grouped in circular or polygonal areas separated by grooves.

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The thick foam panels blank the room from heat loss.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

verb

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.