The Italian origins of the word 'quarantine'

'Quarantine' is a word borrowed from Italian 'quaranta giorni'. The word entered the English language some time around 1609.

quarantine [noun] [1609]

• a period of 40 days
• a term during which a ship arriving in port and suspected of carrying contagious disease is held in isolation from the ...
• a regulation placing a ship in quarantine
• a place where a ship is detained during quarantine

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note: From the 14th-century Italian phrase quaranta giorni meaning 40 days. It stems from the Venetian practice of forcing ships to anchor for 40 days to prevent the spread of the plague. 14th Century Origin: The term arose during the Black Death in Europe when Mediterranean ports required ships to isolate. Venetian Practice: The Republic of Ragusa (modern-day Dubrovnik) first implemented a 30-day isolation period (trentino) in 1377 which was later extended to 40 days (quarantino or quarantena). Why 40 Days? The 40-day period may have been chosen for its biblical significance (e.g. Jesus in the desert Lent) or simply deemed sufficient to ensure a ship was safe.
Etymology: Partly modification of French 'quarantaine' from Old French, from 'quarante' forty, from Latin 'quadraginta' from 'quadra-' (akin to 'quattuor' four) + '-ginta' (akin to vi'ginti' twenty); partly modification of Italian 'quarantena' quarantine of a ship, from 'quaranta' forty, from Latin 'quadraginta'

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