Etymology From Middle English sequestren (verb) and sequestre (noun), from Old French sequestrer, from Late Latin sequestrō (“separate, give up for safekeeping”), from Latin sequester (“mediator, depositary”), probably originally meaning "follower", from Proto-Indo-European *sekʷ- (“follow”).
To separate from all external influence; to seclude; to withdraw.
The jury was sequestered from the press by the judge's order.
when men most sequester themselves from action[1594], Richard Hooker, edited by J[ohn] S[penser], Of the Lawes of Ecclesiastical Politie, […], London: […] Iohn Windet, […], →OCLC, (please specify the page):
2
To separate in order to store.
The coal burning plant was ordered to sequester its CO₂ emissions.
There has been some investigation into the potential of seaweeds as a carbon store, and although more is needed, one study says that seaweed habitats are believed to be the most productive of all coastal vegetated ecosystems, and suggested that the world’s seaweed sequesters as much carbon as all the planet’s seagrass meadows, saltmarshes and mangroves combined.2023 September 25, Vincent Doumeizel, “Opinion: Seaweed is nutritious, not slimy. Eating it could save the world.”, in CNN:
3
To set apart; to put aside; to remove; to separate from other things.
I had wholly sequestered my thoughts from civil affairs.a. 1627 (date written), Francis [Bacon], “Considerations Touching a Warre with Spaine. […]”, in William Rawley, editor, Certaine Miscellany Works of the Right Honourable Francis Lo. Verulam, Viscount S. Alban. […], London: […] I. Hauiland for Humphrey Robinson, […], published 1629, →OCLC:
4
Chemistry, Natural sciences, Physical sciences To prevent an ion in solution from behaving normally by forming a coordination compound.
5
Law To temporarily remove (property) from the possession of its owner and hold it as security against legal claims.
6
To cause (one) to submit to the process of sequestration; to deprive (one) of one's estate, property, etc.
c. 1694, Robert South, sermon XXIV It was his tailor and his cook, his fine fashions and his French ragouts, which sequestered him.
The Budget Control Act of 2011 sequestered 1.2 trillion dollars over 10 years on January 2, 2013.
8
To seize and hold enemy property.
International law
9
To withdraw; to retire.
to sequester out of the world into Atlantic and Utopian politics1644, John Milton, Areopagitica; a Speech of Mr. John Milton for the Liberty of Unlicenc’d Printing, to the Parlament of England, London: [s.n.], →OCLC:
10
Dated To renounce (as a widow may) any concern with the estate of her husband.
Etymology From Middle English sequestren (verb) and sequestre (noun), from Old French sequestrer, from Late Latin sequestrō (“separate, give up for safekeeping”), from Latin sequester (“mediator, depositary”), probably originally meaning "follower", from Proto-Indo-European *sekʷ- (“follow”).
1
sequestration; separation
A sequester from liberty , fasting , and prayerc. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Othello, the Moore of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iv]:
2
Law A person with whom two or more contending parties deposit the subject matter of the controversy; one who mediates between two parties; a referee