1560s, devest (modern spelling is c. 1600), from Middle French devester "strip of possessions," from Old French desvestir, from des- "away" (see dis-) + vestir "to clothe" (see vest (v.)).
The figurative sense of "strip of possessions" is earliest in English; reflexive sense of "to strip oneself of" is from c. 1600. Economic sense (implied in divestment) is from 1955. Related: Divested; divesting.
实用例句
1. She managed to divest herself of the unwanted property.
她设法处理掉了那件不需要的东西.来自《简明英汉词典》
2. I cannot divest myself of the idea.
我无法消除那个念头.来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
3. As a result, they have moved to divest themselves of losing acquisitions.
于是他们采取措施来摆脱那些使他们得不偿失的企业.来自英汉非文学 - 政府文件
4. He attempted to divest himself of all responsibilities for the decision.
