divest
to strip away or remove possession or power
Roots
- dis- / dif-: apart, away, not, reversal, or disruption
- vest / vestis: clothing or dress
Other words with the vest / vestis root
- vest: a sleeveless garment worn on the upper body
Divest means strip off: clothing first, then property, power, or responsibility.
The board voted to divest the fund from the failing company.
Vest gives the clothing image. Divest adds dis-: to strip away, whether the thing removed is a garment, an asset, or authority.