physical distancingn.
/ˌfɪzᵻkl ˈdɪst(ə)nsɪŋ/, U.S. /ˌfɪzəkəl ˈdɪst(ə)nsɪŋ/ The action or practice of maintaining a certain physical distance from, or limiting physical contact with, another person or people, (now) esp. in order to avoid catching or transmitting an infectious disease, or as one of a number of public health measures designed to inhibit its spread. Cf. social distancing n. 2.
ΚΠ
1965 Internat. Jrnl. Psycho-anal. 46 320/2 The mother inconsistently fluctuated between passive and helpless surrender to Ann, and physical distancing and withdrawal.
1987 R. M. Caine & P. M. Bufalino Nursing Care Planning Guides for Adults 10/1 The physical distancing required by isolation precautions may foster social isolation if the disease process and the reasons for the required precautions are poorly understood, as is the case with AIDS.
2020 Sudbury (Ont.) Star (Nexis) 27 May a2 Remember to practise physical distancing to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, September 2020; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1965- screw ship
- screw shot
- screw snail
- screw spanner
- screw spike
- screw stair
- screw staircase
- screw steamer
- screw steamship
- screw stock
- screw stone
- screw stroke
- screw tap
- screw the pooch
- screw thread
- screw threaded
- screw tool
- screw top
- screw tree
- screw twist
- screw up
- screw valve
- screw ventilator
- screw vessel
- screw well