Sequester: meaning, definitions and examples

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sequester

 

[sษชหˆkwษ›stษ™r ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

legal context

To sequester means to isolate or hide away a person, object, or information. In legal terms, it may refer to taking possession of property until a debt is paid or a legal judgment is made. The term is often used in trials to protect a jury from outside influence by keeping them away from the public. Sequestering may also involve setting aside assets for safekeeping during legal proceedings.

Synonyms

isolate, seclude, segregate, set apart.

Examples of usage

  • The judge decided to sequester the jury during the trial.
  • Witnesses were sequestered to prevent outside influence.
  • The government may sequester assets in fraud cases.
Context #2 | Verb

environmental context

In an environmental context, to sequester refers to the process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases. This is a critical method for reducing the impact of climate change by preventing these gases from entering the atmosphere. Various techniques and technologies are employed to sequester carbon in forests, soils, or geological formations.

Synonyms

capture, store, trap.

Examples of usage

  • Scientists are working on new ways to sequester carbon more efficiently.
  • Forests can naturally sequester large amounts of carbon.
  • Carbon sequestration is essential for achieving climate targets.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'sequestrare', meaning 'to set aside' or 'to take possession of'.
  • Originally, it had legal connotations, often referring to the act of taking someone's property until a debt was settled.
  • Over time, its meaning expanded to include broader contexts like isolation or removal in various fields.

Legal Contexts

  • In legal terms, sequestering can refer to placing juries in isolation to avoid outside influences during a trial.
  • Some courts may sequester assets to protect them from being dissipated during legal proceedings.
  • It is often used in bankruptcy cases where certain assets are held separately until a resolution is found.

Environmental Science

  • In ecology, sequestering carbon refers to the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide to combat climate change.
  • Natural processes like photosynthesis play a crucial role in sequestering carbon in plants and soil.
  • Artificial methods, like carbon capture and storage (CCS), are being researched to improve climate resilience.

Psychology

  • The act of sequestering one's thoughts can be a coping mechanism for dealing with stress or trauma, allowing individuals to process emotions separately.
  • People may consciously sequester fears or anxieties to help focus on positive outcomes.
  • In therapy, techniques might involve helping individuals sequester negative feelings to explore them in a safer context.

Cultural References

  • In literature and film, characters often find themselves sequestered in isolation, leading to significant personal growth or dramatic tension.
  • The concept appears in various genres, from thrillers where characters hide from dangers to romance stories where lovers meet secretly.
  • Cultural practices around retreats or self-imposed isolation speak to the desire for sequestering from everyday life to find clarity.

Translations

Translations of the word "sequester" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น sequestrar

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคธเฅ€เคฒ เค•เคฐเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช sequestern

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ menyita

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัะตะบะฒะตัั‚ั€ัƒะฒะฐั‚ะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ sekwestrowaฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆŠผๅŽใ™ใ‚‹

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท saisir

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ secuestro

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท el koymak

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์••์ˆ˜ํ•˜๋‹ค

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ุตุงุฏุฑุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ zabavit

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ zabaviลฅ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆ‰ฃๆŠผ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ zaseฤi

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ halda

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะบะพะฝั„ะธัะบะฐั†ะธั

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ™แƒแƒœแƒคแƒ˜แƒกแƒ™แƒแƒชแƒ˜แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ mรผsadirษ™ etmษ™k

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ secuestro

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,266, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.