isolate:
 1) To set apart from others: to place alone. 2) To separate  or keep apart from others by some sort of intervention  (barrier, space, or verbal demarcation) so as to minimize any  effect on/interaction with others. SYN segregate, although  this word often implies isolation for a specific, perceived  reason — economic class, religion, species, culture, political  affiliations. Compare QUARANTINE, here isolation is  imposed to prevent the spread of disease.