divest

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

Alteration of devest, from Middle French devester (“strip of possessions”), from Old French desvestir, from des- (“dis-”) + vestir (“to clothe”).

In fact, that's the day you begin to divest. — The Samurai Strategy, Thomas Hoover
Was he, in fact, already divesting himself of all passionate reality? — The Passionate Elopement, Compton MacKenzie
Slavery soon proved its ability to divest her of these heavenly qualities. — Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Frederick Douglass

deprive, strip

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