Divest
/daɪˈvɛst/noun
To strip someone or something of possessions, rights, power, or clothing; to sell off an asset.
Did you know?Divest comes through Latin and Old French from a verb meaning “to undress,” which is why the word still feels like a ritual stripping of status, power, or ownership.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wes-
“to clothe or dress”
Latin
Latin
vestīre
“to clothe, dress”
Late Latin
Latin
dēvestīre
“to undress, strip off clothing”
Old French
Old French
devestir
“to strip, undress; deprive”
Middle English
English
divesten
“to strip of clothing or possessions”
Modern English
English
divest
“to strip of possessions, rights, or investment”