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).
Derivatives:
divestiture n. divestment n. divesture n.
Etymology: earlier devest f. OF desvestir etc. (as DIS-, L vestire f. vestis garment)