Definition of the word shut away

The phrase "shut away" derives from the Old English words "scyttan" (meaning "to shut") and "wegan" (meaning "to go"). The phrase originally appeared in Middle English around the 12th century but was less commonly used than its variant "shut out" at that time. "Shut away" refers to the action of confining or restricting someone or something to a particular location, effectively separating it from the outside world. This concept has deep roots in English history and literature, with instances of "shut away" appearing in early medieval texts describing the walling up of prisoners or the seclusion of nuns in convents. The phrase became more commonly used during the 17th and 18th centuries, as it was employed to describe the confinement of people with infectious diseases for quarantine purposes. Its use then began to extend to people considered dangerous or undesirable, such as criminals, and people institutionalized for mental illness or disability. Today, "shut away" continues to be a descriptive phrase for confinement and isolation, often appearing in literature and other creative works as a metaphor for emotional or psychological separation. Overall, its meaning and usage reveal much about the evolution of English society, culture, and attitudes towards confinement over the centuries.