verb
divest
dye-VEST/daɪˈvest/
To remove something from one's possession.
The woman divests herself of her car by exchanging its keys for payment.
Etymology
The pieces evoke stripping off clothing. Applied to possessions or authority, that image means removing what someone holds; in finance, divesting can mean selling off a company or investment.
In context
… give the lord chancellor sole administrative responsibility for hmcts thirdly return the constitutional affairs brief to the lord chancellor and divest them of responsibility for prisons and probation …
More examples
- She divests herself of stocks that conflict with her values.
- The court order divested him of his ownership rights.
- To pay its debts, the company divested several smaller businesses.
Forms
divest · divests · divested · divesting
divestment noun — The sale or disposal of owned assets.
Similar words
- sell
- Specifically exchanges property for money, rather than removing possession generally.
- relinquish
- Emphasizes giving up ownership or control, not necessarily selling.
- strip
- Emphasizes taking something away from someone, often by force.