to strip of clothing, ornament, etc.

The wind divested the trees of their leaves.

to strip or deprive (someone or something), esp. of property or rights; dispossess.

to rid of or free from

He divested himself of all responsibility for the decision.

Law . to take away or alienate (property, rights, etc.).

Commerce .

to sell off

to divest holdings.

to rid of through sale

The corporation divested itself of its subsidiaries.

verb

clothe , cover , invest , possess , take

verb

bankrupt , bare , bereave , bleed , denudate , denude , deprive , despoil , disinherit , dismantle , disrobe , ditch * , doff , dump , eighty-six * , lose , milk * , oust , plunder , remove , rob , seize , spoil , strip , take from , unclothe , uncover , undress , unload , expose , dispossess , dethrone , dispose , free