v.tr. 1 (usu. foll. by of; often refl.) unclothe; strip (divested himself of his jacket). 2 deprive, dispossess; free, rid (cannot divest himself of the idea). divestiture n. divestment n. divesture n.
[ earlier devest f. OF desvestir etc. (as DIS-, L vestire f. vestis garment) ]