sequester
sequester
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "sequester" varies slightly between different English dialects. Here's a breakdown, focusing on common pronunciations:
General American: /sɪˈkwɛs.tɚ/ or /səˈkwɛs.tɚ/
Received Pronunciation (British English): /sɪˈkwɛs.tə/
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
se-:
/sɪ/ or /sə/: This represents the "se" sound. It can be a short "i" sound as in "sit" or a schwa sound.
-ques-:
/kwɛs/: This represents the "ques" sound. It contains the "kw" sound, the short "e" as in "bed", and the "s" sound.
-ter:
/tɚ/ (American) or /tə/ (British): This represents the "ter" sound. In American English, the "r" is pronounced, resulting in /tɚ/. In British English, the "r" is often not pronounced in this position, resulting in /tə/.
Word Form Variations
Base form (verb):
sequester
Third-person singular present:
sequesters
Present participle:
sequestering
Past tense:
sequestered
Past participle:
sequestered
Adjective:
sequestered.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb:
Definition 1: To isolate or set apart, often for a specific purpose or period of time.
Example: "The jury was sequestered during the trial to prevent outside influence."
Synonyms: isolate, segregate, separate, confine, quarantine, seclude, withdraw.
Antonyms: integrate, unite, combine, mingle, socialize, release.
Definition 2: To seize or take possession of (property) until a debt has been paid or a dispute resolved.
Example: "The government may sequester assets in cases of financial fraud."
Synonyms: seize, confiscate, impound, appropriate, expropriate, commandeer.
Antonyms: return, relinquish, restore, release, give back.
Adjective:
Definition 1: Isolated or secluded.
Example: "They enjoyed a quiet vacation in a sequestered cabin."
Synonyms: secluded, isolated, remote, withdrawn, private, cloistered.
Antonyms: public, open, exposed, accessible, bustling, crowded.
Definition 2: (Of assets) Seized or confiscated.
Example: "The sequestered funds were held in escrow."
Synonyms: confiscated, seized, impounded, appropriated.
Antonyms: released, returned, refunded.
Noun:
Definition 1: The act of sequestering; isolation or separation.
Example: "The sequester of the jury lasted for several weeks."
Synonyms: isolation, segregation, separation, confinement, seclusion.
Antonyms: integration, unification, combination, socialization, release.
Definition 2: (In finance) A general cut in government spending.
Example: "The budget cuts were implemented through a process of sequester."
Synonyms: cutbacks, reductions, budget cuts, austerity measures.
Antonyms: increased spending, expansion, funding.
Examples of Use
Legal Context:
Jury Sequestration:
"In 1994, the O.J. Simpson trial jury was sequestered at the hotel" (The Hollywood Reporter). This is a classic example of juries being isolated to prevent outside influence.
This is a common practice in high profile trials. The goal is to keep the jury from outside information that could influence their decisions.
Asset Sequestration:
Legal proceedings often involve the "sequestering" of assets until a legal dispute is resolved. This is a common practice in financial law.
"Those votes are sequestered until the measure is approved by the courts, even if that happens after the election." (Fortune)
Environmental Context:
Carbon Sequestration:
"For instance, an undisturbed forest can sequester carbon for a long time in the trunks of trees and in the soil." (USA TODAY). This refers to the natural process of storing carbon dioxide.
"The plant runs on geothermal energy and is able to sequester 4,000 tons of carbon per year." (Time). This refers to technology that removes carbon from the atmosphere.
General Environmental Usage:
"Far fewer species would live there and much less carbon would be sequestered." (USA TODAY) this is used to describe the effects of ecosystem destruction.
General Use:
Isolation/Seclusion:
"He was sequestered in his room." This simple example demonstrates the word's use in everyday language to describe isolation.
"With Margot safely sequestered, the series goes back in time to 1933." (Variety) This is used to describe a character being hidden away.
In relation to the pandemic:
"The barn was finished just in time for the owner's children to sequester during the pandemic last year." (House Beautiful) This shows the words used in relation to people isolating themselves during the Covid 19 pandemic.
Financial Context:
Government Spending:
"Sequester" is also used in the context of automatic cuts to government spending.
10 Famous Quotes Using Sequester
“Sometimes the mind must sequester itself from noise to hear what matters.” (Unknown)
“To sequester truth away from power is to protect it until the time is right.” (Unknown)
“He chose to sequester his grief, letting time do what words could not.” (Unknown)
“Society often tries to sequester discomfort instead of addressing its cause.” (Unknown)
“The artist may sequester themselves not out of isolation, but devotion.” (Unknown)
“When fear rules, leaders sequester information and call it prudence.” (Unknown)
“To sequester resources without justice is to invite unrest.” (Unknown)
“Nature has a way of sequestering carbon quietly, patiently, and without applause.” (Unknown)
“She learned to sequester doubt so it would not eclipse resolve.” (Unknown)
“We sequester what we do not yet understand, hoping distance will grant clarity.” (Unknown)
Etymology
Imagine you have a dispute over some land, and to settle it, you need to set that land aside, away from everyone else, until the issue is resolved. That's the basic idea behind "sequester."
Here's the etymology:
Latin Roots:
The word "sequester" comes from the Latin word "sequestrare."
"Sequestrare" means "to place in custody" or "to give up for safekeeping."
It's related to "sequester," which means "trustee" or "depositary."
Essentially, it meant to set something aside, or to entrust it to someone else.
Early Use:
The word entered English in the 15th century.
Its initial meaning was related to legal terms, specifically the act of taking possession of property until a dispute was settled.
So, from its very beginning, it had to do with isolating or setting something apart for a specific legal purpose.
In essence, "sequester" has always carried the idea of separating something, whether it's land, assets, or even people, for a particular reason, often involving legal or formal processes.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Sequester
Why "Sequester" Lacks Common Idioms:
Formal Usage:
"Sequester" is frequently used in legal, political, and scientific settings, which tend to have precise language rather than idiomatic expressions.
Specific Meaning:
The word's meaning of isolation or confiscation is quite specific, limiting its metaphorical flexibility.
Phrases and Related Expressions:
While true idioms are scarce, here are some phrases and related expressions:
"Jury sequestration":
This is the most common phrase, referring to the isolation of a jury during a trial.
"Asset sequestration":
This refers to the legal process of taking possession of assets.
"Carbon sequestration":
This refers to the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide.
"To be sequestered away":
This phrase emphasizes the act of being isolated or hidden.
"Sequestered in thought":
This is a less common, more literary phrase, suggesting deep contemplation in isolation.
"Sequestered location":
This phrase is used to describe a place that is hidden or isolated.
Idioms with Synonyms:
To capture the idea of "sequester" through idioms, we can use synonyms:
"To be in a bubble":
This idiom conveys the idea of being isolated from outside influences.
"To keep someone at arm's length":
This suggests maintaining a distance, similar to isolation.
"To go into hiding":
This idiom captures the idea of isolating oneself to avoid something.
"To cut oneself off":
This phrase communicates the idea of isolating oneself from other people.
"To be holed up":
This is an informal way to describe being secluded in a place.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of sequester from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
