divest

[ dih-vest, dahy- ]

verb (used with object)

1. to strip of clothing, ornament, etc.:

   The wind divested the trees of their leaves.

   Synonyms: denude, unclothe

2. to strip or deprive (someone or something), especially of property or rights; dispossess.
3. to rid of or free from:

   He divested himself of all responsibility for the decision.

4. Law. to take away or alienate (property, rights, etc.).
5. Commerce.
   1. to sell off:

      to divest holdings.

   2. to rid of through sale:

      The corporation divested itself of its subsidiaries.

divest

/ daɪˈvɛstʃə; daɪˈvɛstɪtʃə; daɪˈvɛst /

verb

1. to strip (of clothes)

   to divest oneself of one's coat

2. to deprive or dispossess
3. property law to take away an estate or interest in property vested (in a person)

Derived Forms

• divestiture, noun
• diˈvestible, adjective

Other Words From

• undi·vested adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of divest¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Medieval Latin dīvestīre, equivalent to dī- di- ² + vestīre “to dress”; vest

Word History and Origins

Origin of divest¹

C17: changed from earlier devest

Synonym Study

See strip ¹.

Example Sentences

However, federal law bars executive branch employees, which can include unpaid consultants from participating in government matters that will affect their financial interests, unless they divest of their interests or recuse themselves.

From Los Angeles Times

To another, the university has become a site of repression against Muslim, Arab and Palestinian American voices, with excessive security patrols and strict free expression rules that clamp down on pro-Palestinian protesters and their demands that the university divest from ties to Israel’s military.

From Los Angeles Times

Protesters are demanding the university divest from weapons and surveillance system manufacturers that do business with Israel such as Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman and Boeing.

From Los Angeles Times

Student protesters erected the sukkah Monday morning to observe the Jewish holiday of Sukkot and demand the university divest from companies that do business with Israel and call for an end to the war in Palestine.

From Los Angeles Times

But we already know that these universities did not divest from anti-apartheid and have a commitment to the anti-racism struggle today.

From Slate

Related Words

• bankrupt
• deprive
• dismantle
• rob
• unload