What does sequestrable mean?
Sequestrable is an uncommon formal adjective meaning that something can be sequestered, or set apart from ordinary use or control. Its most familiar application is legal: a court may declare property or assets sequestrable when there is a dispute over ownership, management, or possession, allowing them to be held safely or placed under court supervision until the matter is resolved. In other contexts, the word describes anything liable to being isolated, reserved, or withheld for a particular purpose. For example, records or laboratory materials may be sequestrable because an investigation prevents their normal use. The word is more typical of legal, administrative, and technical writing than of everyday conversation. Although the closely related verb “sequester” is relatively familiar, “sequestrable” is chiefly encountered in specialized discussions of property, assets, evidence, and court procedure. Its value lies in conveying the possibility of formal separation or protective custody rather than merely suggesting that something might be set aside informally.
adjectiveAble to be sequestered; subject to being set apart, removed from use or control, or held in legal custody until a claim or dispute is resolved.
- Subject to legal sequestration, especially in the sense that property or assets may be placed under court control or held in escrow.
- Capable of being set apart or removed from general use or control.
"The court ruled that the disputed assets were sequestrable and ordered them to be held in escrow."
"The tribunal determined that the funds were sequestrable while the inheritance dispute continued."
"Because the laboratory equipment was sequestrable, it could not be used by the owner during the proceedings."
Some property can be ring-fenced by law: “sequestrable” describes assets the court can hold apart while ownership or control is disputed.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sequestrable come from?
Sequestrable belongs to the Latin family of sequester and sequestrare, associated with setting something apart or removing it for safekeeping. English borrowed the corresponding verb “sequester” from French and Latin usage, especially in legal contexts. The adjective in “-able” was formed within English to express the condition that property or other assets may be subject to sequestration.
How sequestrable is actually used
This is a formal and relatively uncommon word, appearing chiefly in legal and institutional contexts. In general usage, it means that something can be set apart, but legal usage is its best-established application.
Easily confused with sequestrable
“Sequesterable” is an alternative spelling of “sequestrable”; both mean capable of being sequestered.