divest
UK/daɪˈvest/US/daɪˈvest/
v
to sell off business interests, investments, or assets
v
to deprive or strip someone of power, rights, or possessions
Morpheme Breakdown
di
vest
di
away
vest
clothe
Etymology
the word 'divest' entered english in the early 17th century from the latin verb 'divestire', which itself was formed from the prefix 'dis-' (expressing removal) and 'vestire' (to clothe). the literal sense was 'to unclothe' or 'strip of garments'. this concrete meaning evolved metaphorically in financial and legal contexts to signify the stripping away of assets, property, rights, or authority. the semantic logic follows a clear path from the physical act of removing clothing to the abstract act of dispossession or relinquishment.
Analysis
Structure: di (away) + vest (clothe)
di- (a form of 'dis-'), a Latin prefix meaning 'apart', 'away', or having a reversing force. vest, from Latin 'vestire' (to clothe), via Old French 'vestir'.
Examples
the company was ordered to divest its holdings in the subsidiary to comply with antitrust laws.
the scandal forced him to divest himself of all official duties.
investors were advised to divest from fossil fuel companies.