devest

[ dih-vest ]

verb (used with object)

1. Law. to divest.
2. Obsolete. to remove the clothes from; undress.

devest

/ dɪˈvɛst /

verb

1. tr a rare variant spelling of divest

Word History and Origins

Origin of devest¹

1555–65; < Middle French desvester, Old French desvestir, equivalent to des- dis- ¹ + vestir to clothe < Latin vestīre; divest

Example Sentences

And I perceive he is under an inundation of uncertain commers, which he cannot devest, except I had your leave to speake plain to him.

From Project Gutenberg

Secondly, what a Cruelty it is to devest children of that onely externall priviledge which their heavenly Father hath bequeathed them, to interest them visibly in Himselfe, His Son, His Spirit, His Covenant of Grace, and the tender bosome of their carefull Mother the Church.

From Project Gutenberg

If God shall see fit to restore Me, and You after Me, to those enjoyments, which the Laws have assigned to Us, and no Subjects without an high degree of guilt and sin can devest Us of, then may I have better opportunity, when I shall be so happy to see You in peace, to let You more fully understand the things that belong to Gods glory, Your own honor, and the Kingdoms peace.

From Project Gutenberg

When then a law is in the nature of a contract, when absolute rights have vested under that contract, a repeal of the law can not devest those rights; ...

From Project Gutenberg

At his entrance he seemed a little intimidated, as if he were dubious of his reception; nor could he for some minutes devest himself of that feeling, though he was received with the most flattering welcome;—this transient perturbation gave a very pleasing effect to his first words; and when he said, “My name is Norval,” he uttered it with a pause which seemed to be the effect of the modest diffidence natural to such a character upon being introduced into a higher presence than he had ever before approached.

From Project Gutenberg