sequestrare

to seize

verb seh-kwes-TRAH-reh Rare

Origin: Latin sequestrare, to set aside

Also means

to kidnap

Usage Note

Sequestrare has two distinct legal meanings: to confiscate or impound property (sequestrare i beni) and to kidnap a person (sequestrare una persona). Both senses are formal/legal; the everyday word for kidnap is rapire. It takes avere as auxiliary and is a regular -are verb.

Examples

"La polizia ha sequestrato il veicolo."

Natural Translation

The police seized the vehicle.

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