1.insulate的基本含义是“使隔离,使绝缘”,指通过特定的隔离物使某人或某物与外界或某种特殊物质相隔离,使他们无法接触,从而达到某种目的。
2.insulate通常用作及物动词,后接名词或代词作宾语。

insulate against(v.+prep.)
防止…,与…隔绝 separate from sth
▲insulate sb/oneself/sth against sth
Index-linked pay rises insulated them against inflationary price increases.与生活指数挂钩的工资增长使他们免受通货膨胀带来的损失。
They have found a way to insulate themselves against the cost of inflation.他们找到了使自己免受通货膨胀影响的办法。
◇ 用于be ～ed结构
This room is insulated against noise.这个房间隔音。

insulate from(v.+prep.)
(使)与…隔绝,(使)免于…的危害 separate from sth so as to protect
▲insulate sb/oneself/sth from sth/v-ing
Living in a high building tends to insulate us from the real life of the city.住在高楼大厦中容易使我们与城市的现实生活相隔绝。
In the country, we insulated ourselves from the worries of life in a big city.在农村,我们远离了大城市的种种焦虑。
I insulated the furnace from any neighbouring firewood with brick.我用砖头把火炉和附近的柴火隔开。
◇ 用于be ～ed结构
The wires must be insulated from touching each other with a rubber covering.这些金属线一定要用橡胶皮包起来,以免相互接触。
The house can be insulated from cold with about four inches of this special plastic.这种特种塑料有4英寸左右厚,足以挡住屋外的寒气。

用作及物动词
▲S+～+n./pron.
Asbestos can be used to insulate a cooking stove.石棉能被用来使烹调用的炉灶绝热。
Rubber is used to insulate electric wires.橡胶被用来使电线与外界绝缘。
The function of a mammal's fur is to insulate the body.哺乳动物皮毛的功能在于使身体保暖。

insulate, isolate
这组词的共同含义是“隔离”。其区别是:insulate是用某种物质将两个物体隔开,使其不接触,但这种“隔离”不会产生很大的距离; 而isolate则是将两物分离开来,使之相隔遥远。