Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1818
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SEQUESTER, v. As in Eng., to seclude, keep apart from contact with others, specif. in Sc. Law phr. to sequester a witness, to keep a witness waiting secluded in an ante-room before giving evidence in court.Sc. 1818 Scott H. Midlothian xxi.:
The witnesses remain in readiness to be called into court to give evidence. . . . “This, Mr Deans”' said Saddletree, “is ca'd sequestering a witness”.