Divest

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /daɪˈvÉ›st/, /dɪˈvÉ›st/
• Rhymes: -É›st

Origin

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

Full definition of divest

Verb

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 subsidiaryIn 2011 the company divested an 81% majority stake in its Chinese subsidiary.

Related terms

• divestiture