insulation
(ɪnsjuːˈleɪʃən)
[n. of action f. insulate v.: see -ation.]
The action of insulating, the fact or condition of being insulated.
1. The action of surrounding by water or making into an island; the fact of being made insular. Also, an island.
| 1848 E. Bryant California xi. 157 The waters surrounding these insulations could be traced between them as far as the eye could reach. 1851 Richardson Geol. ii. 21 The insulation of peninsulas by the destruction of the isthmus which previously connected them with the mainland. 1871 Scribner's Monthly II. 7 Their smooth sides, uniform width and height..considered in connection with the courses which had wrought their insulation, excited our wonder and admiration. |
2. transf. and
fig. The action of placing apart or detaching from other things; the state or condition of standing alone or cut off;
concr. an insulated object.
| 1798 G. Wakefield Reply Bp. of Landaff's Addr. 4 An absolute insulation..from the reasonable benefits of society. 1829 I. Taylor Enthus. ix. 224 This sort of meditative insulation is the ultimate and natural issue of all enthusiastic piety. 1849 Robertson Serm. Ser. i. xv. 221 There are two kinds of solitude: the first consisting of insulation in space. |
3. a. The action of insulating electrically or physically; the condition of being isolated by non-conductors so as to prevent the passage of electricity, heat, or sound. Also the degree in which a body is insulated, as
partial,
imperfect,
total insulation.
| 1767 J. Priestley Hist. & Present State Electr. 515 It is advisable that there should be no sharp edges or angles about the rubber [of the electrical machine], for that would make the insulation of it..ineffectual. 1822 J. Imison Sc. & Art I. 327 The upper end of the glass is covered and lined with sealing-wax..to make its insulation more perfect. 1827 Faraday Chem. Manip. xvii. 465 The insulation of substances is frequently required in electro-chemical investigation. 1876 Preece & Sivewright Telegraphy 265 Having ascertained the total insulation of the circuit, the insulation per mile is found by multiplying the total insulation by the mileage of line. 1896 Electr. Rev. 6 Mar. 41 Higher Voltage demands better insulation. 1913 Chem. Abstr. VII. 689 (heading) Incombustible and refractory materials for insulation from sound, heat and cold. 1955 Oxf. Jun. Encycl. VIII. 399/2 Double partitions, ..‘floating floors’,..and independent or suspended ceilings are all forms of construction used for sound insulation. 1972 L. L. Doelle Environmental Acoustics xiv. 173 Bare concrete slab..gives satisfactory insulation against airborne noises. |
b. concr. Insulating or non-conductive material.
| 1870 R. M. Ferguson Electr. 280 The insulation..consists of four layers of gutta-percha. 1892 Suppl. to Lightning 7 Jan., Insulation, insulating material put on to a conductor to prevent as far as possible the escape of electricity. 1927 Davis & Kaye Acoustics of Buildings ix. 171 Felt-like insulation may..be introduced into the..structure of the building, to assist in isolating noise. 1969 Sears Catal. Spring/Summer 963 Fiber glass insulation..keeps water hotter and jacket cooler. |
4. Comb., as
insulation material,
insulation meter,
insulation resistance,
insulation tape,
insulation test,
insulation tester.
| 1876 Preece & Sivewright Telegraphy 266 If, for instance, a wire gives 12°, the constant being 43°, 4387 will be the insulation resistance. 1889 Edison in Daily News 7 Nov. 5/7 The operation of time upon the insulation material which surrounds these wires. |
| 1903 Whittaker's Electr. Engineer's Pocket-Bk. 276 (heading) Insulation tests. |
| 1909 Cent. Dict. Suppl., Insulation-meter. 1920 Talking Machine News & Jrnl. Amusements Feb. 77/2 Electrical insulation tape in a metal horn. |
| 1923 Nature 13 Jan. 63/2 The ‘Meg’ insulation tester.., a remarkably light and cheap megger. |