Definition of the word divest

The word "divest" has its roots in Latin and Old French. The Latin word "divestire" means "to strip off" or "to deprive," and it is derived from "dis-" (meaning "apart" or "away") and "vestire" (meaning "to clothe" or "to attire"). In the 14th century, the Old French language adopted the Latin word and modified it to "desvestir," which means "to disrobe" or "to undress." From there, the word "divest" entered Middle English as "divesten," meaning "to strip off" or "to deprive of." Today, the word "divest" is used in various contexts, including business and finance, to refer to the process of disposing of or selling off assets, investments, or holdings.