Sequester
/sɪˈkwɛstər/noun
To isolate, hide away, or legally take possession of property; also, to set apart or remove from use.
Did you know?Its deeper Latin root is tied to the idea of “following,” because a *sequester* was originally a third party who followed in as a neutral go-between in a dispute.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
sequester
“a mediator, trustee, or third party holding something in dispute”
Late Latin
Latin
sequestrare
“to place in the hands of a neutral third party; to set aside”
Old French
Old French
sequestre
“a person or thing set apart; legal custody or sequestration”
14th Century
Middle English
sequestren
“to separate; to confiscate or take into custody”
Modern English
English
sequester
“to isolate, remove, or legally seize and hold”