Etymology Map
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Insulate

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to protect from heat or electricity

Where does the word "insulate" come from? It comes from Latin insula, adopted directly into English (1530s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
insula
Latin · ancient
"island"
the root of 'peninsula'
2
Stage 2 of 2
insulate
English · 1530s
"to make into an island"
electrical 'insulation' dates from the 1700s
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Read the full story

Insulate’s story begins in Latin: insula meant “island.” The root of 'peninsula'. It reached English by 1530s as insulate. Electrical 'insulation' dates from the 1700s. Today, insulate means to protect from heat or electricity.