Divested: meaning, definitions and examples

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divested

 

[ daɪˈvɛstɪd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

financial context

To divest means to sell off or dispose of assets, often for financial or ethical reasons. Companies might divest subsidiaries that are underperforming or no longer align with their strategy. In a broader sense, it can also refer to the act of stripping away rights or titles. Investors may choose to divest from industries, such as fossil fuels, that do not meet their ethical standards. The term is often used in corporate finance and investment discussions.

Synonyms

dispose, liquidate, relinquish, sell-off

Examples of usage

  • The company divested its non-core assets last year.
  • She decided to divest from companies involved in tobacco.
  • Many investors are divesting their portfolios of fossil fuel stocks.
  • The firm plans to divest its interests in international markets.

Translations

Translations of the word "divested" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desinvestido

🇮🇳 विलग्न

🇩🇪 abgestoßen

🇮🇩 melepaskan

🇺🇦 позбавлений

🇵🇱 pozbawiony

🇯🇵 剥奪された

🇫🇷 dépouillé

🇪🇸 despojado

🇹🇷 elinden alınmış

🇰🇷 박탈된

🇸🇦 مُفَكَّك

🇨🇿 zbavený

🇸🇰 zbavený

🇨🇳 剥夺的

🇸🇮 razpoložen

🇮🇸 afskiptur

🇰🇿 айырылған

🇬🇪 წართმეული

🇦🇿 müflis

🇲🇽 despojado

Etymology

The word 'divest' has its roots in the Latin word 'divestire,' which means 'to strip off clothes or garments.' This term was later adopted into Middle English, evolving into the form 'divest' we use today. The prefix 'di-' signifies a separation, while 'vest' relates to clothing or to invest, thus implying the removal of something that is vested in someone. Over the centuries, the usage of 'divest' has been extended from its literal origins to various applications, especially in finance and law. The formal use in legal and economic contexts began to rise in the 20th century, particularly associated with corporate finance as entities sought to streamline operations by selling off parts of their business or to comply with ethical investment practices.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,907, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.