divested

Divested is the past participle of the verb divest and, in modern usage, functions as both a verb form and an adjective. It denotes the act of stripping away or removing something—such as rights, powers, or possessions—or the disposal of assets, especially investments, by selling them off. In the legal or political sense, a person or entity can be divested of authority or title; in finance, institutions may divest holdings to withdraw from certain markets or sectors.

Etymology: The word derives from Latin divestire "to strip," from dis- "apart" + vestire "to clothe" (from vestis "garment"). The sense of stripping rights or status is older; the financial sense of selling assets developed in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Usage: In finance and ethics, divestment refers to selling assets or withdrawing investments, often as a strategic or moral decision (for example, a university divesting from fossil-fuel companies). The phrase "divested of" can describe a person or organization deprived of power, property, or privileges. The adjective form appears in journalism and policy documents, as in "a divested portfolio" or "divested from the project." Related terms include divest, divestment, disinvestment, and asset disposal.

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