v. se·ques·tered, se·ques·ter·ing, se·ques·ters v.tr. 1. To remove or set apart; segregate or hide: "Some of the actors ... found it disturbing that the director was sequestered in an off-stage control booth" (Gene D. Phillips). See Synonyms at isolate. 2. To cause to withdraw into seclusion: students who sequester themselves in libraries. 3. To remove or isolate (a chemical, often a gas) from an environment by incorporation, mixing, or insertion under pressure: plants that sequester toxins from wetlands; plans to sequester carbon dioxide produced by a power plant by injection into an underground aquifer. 4. a. Law To take temporary possession of (property) as security against legal claims. b. To requisition and confiscate (enemy property). v.intr. Chemistry To undergo sequestration. [Middle English sequestren, from Old French, from Latin sequestrāre, to give up for safekeeping, from Latin sequester, depositary, trustee; see sekw-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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