Meaning of divest in English

  1. Pronunciation

    /dəˈvɛst/

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  1. Verb

    divest

    Etymology

    early 17th century: alteration of devest, from Old French desvestir, from des- (expressing removal) + Latin vestire (from vestis‘garment’)

    Definitions

    1. take away possessions from someone

    Examples

    • « The Nazis stripped the Jews of all their assets »
  2. 2. deprive of status or authority

    Examples

    • « he was divested of his rights and his title »
    • « They disinvested themselves of their rights »

    Antonyms

  3. 3. reduce or dispose of

    Examples

    • « cease to hold (an investment) »
    • « The company decided to divest »
    • « the board of trustees divested $20 million in real estate property »
    • « There was pressure on the univeristy to disinvest in South Africa »

    Antonyms

  4. 4. remove (someone's or one's own) clothes

    Examples

    • « The nurse quickly undressed the accident victim »
    • « She divested herself of her outdoor clothes »
    • « He disinvested himself of his garments »