divest

Etymology

Alteration of devest, from Middle French devester (“strip of possessions”), from Old French desvestir, from des- (“dis-”) + vestir (“to clothe”).

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /daɪˈvɛst/, /dɪˈvɛst/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɛst

Verb

divest (third-person singular simple present divests, present participle divesting, simple past and past participle divested)

1. (transitive, archaic) To undress, disrobe.
   • 1897, Henry James, What Maisie Knew:

     Having divested the child he kissed her gently and gave her a little pat to make her stand off.

2. (transitive) To strip, deprive, or dispossess (someone) of something (such as a right, passion, privilege, or prejudice).

   You shall never divest me of my right to free speech.

   When I wake up, I make a point to divest myself of all my prejudices, ready to start the day.

3. (transitive) To sell off or be rid of through sale, especially of a subsidiary

   In 2011 the company divested an 81% majority stake in its foreign subsidiary.

   As Glasgow becomes the first university in Europe to divest from fossil fuels.

See also

• disinvest

Anagrams

• divets, stived