sequester
C1-C2Formal, legal, scientific, journalistic
Definition
Meaning
To isolate, separate, or hide away from others.
To legally remove property from its owner, typically for safekeeping or for a legal dispute; to absorb or trap a substance, especially carbon dioxide; to withdraw into seclusion.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word implies a forced or deliberate act of separation for a specific purpose (legal, environmental, or personal). In law, it often pertains to property or assets; in environmental science, it refers to carbon capture.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use all meanings equally. 'Jury sequestration' is a more prominent concept in US legal reporting.
Connotations
In business contexts, can have a negative connotation of asset seizure or forced isolation.
Frequency
More frequent in legal and environmental reporting in both regions. Slightly higher in US media due to legal coverage.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to sequester somethingto sequester something from something/someoneto be sequesteredto sequester oneselfVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To live a sequestered life”
- “To be in sequestered chambers”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The court may sequester the company's assets pending the fraud investigation.
Academic
Wetlands play a crucial role in the carbon cycle as they sequester significant amounts of CO2.
Everyday
He decided to sequester himself in his study to finish writing the novel.
Technical
The new chemical process can sequester atmospheric carbon in a stable mineral form.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The judge ordered to sequester the disputed funds.
- Trees help to sequester carbon from the atmosphere.
American English
- The judge ordered to sequester the jury for the high-profile trial.
- The new technology aims to sequester industrial emissions.
adjective
British English
- He led a sequestered life in the Scottish Highlands.
- The assets remain under sequestered control.
American English
- The witness was kept in a sequestered location.
- The estate is currently in a sequestered state.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The billionaire decided to sequester himself on a private island.
- Please sequester those old files in the storage room.
- During the trial, the jury was sequestered to avoid media influence.
- Forests are vital because they sequester large amounts of carbon dioxide.
- The court moved to sequester the defendant's overseas assets to prevent their dissipation.
- Certain minerals can naturally sequester atmospheric carbon through a process called weathering.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SEQUel in a film where the hero is SEquestered in a SECluded place. SE-QUES-TER -> SEClusion QUEST.
Conceptual Metaphor
SEQUESTER IS CAPTURE (for carbon). SEQUESTER IS HIDING (for people/objects).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not to be confused with 'конфисковать' (confiscate), which is more final. 'Sequester' is often temporary.
- Can be wrongly associated with 'секвестр' (budget sequestration), which is a different, though related, fiscal concept.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrectly using 'sequester' for simple 'hide' (too formal).
- Using 'sequester' intransitively without a reflexive pronoun (e.g., 'He sequestered to work' is wrong; correct: 'He sequestered himself to work').
Practice
Quiz
In environmental science, what does 'sequester' most commonly mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Confiscate' implies permanent taking by authority, often as a penalty. 'Sequester' implies temporary isolation or removal from use, often for safekeeping during legal proceedings.
It is quite formal. In everyday speech, words like 'isolate', 'hide away', or 'seclude' are more common, unless you are specifically talking about legal or environmental contexts.
The most common noun is 'sequestration' (e.g., carbon sequestration, jury sequestration). 'Sequester' itself can also be a noun in legal contexts, though rare.
It is neutral in meaning but context-dependent. For carbon capture, it's positive. For asset seizure or forced isolation, it can be negative. For personal retreat, it can be neutral or positive.