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

It also says councils should divest from companies that "support the apartheid Israeli state".

From BBC

As for the companies’ pledge to divest enough stores in enough communities to preserve competition, the FTC is right to be skeptical.

From Los Angeles Times

“We believe that if the company were required to divest the Google Ad Manager business, the financial impact to overall operations would be minimal,” the analysts said in the note.

From Los Angeles Times

“I don’t see any contradiction, and I have divested. Meanwhile, many of those same industries are spending more than a million dollars combined against me and for my opponent.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bankrupt
• deprive
• dismantle
• rob
• unload