Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DI-VEST', v.t. [Fr. devêtir; de and vêtir, to clothe, L. vestio. It is the same word as devest, but the latter is appropriately used as a technical term in law.]

1. To strip of clothes, arms or equipage; opposed to invest.
2. To deprive; as, to divest one of his rights or privileges; to divest one of title or property.
3. To deprive or strip of any thing that covers, surrounds or attends; as, to divest one of his glory; to divest a subject of deceptive appearances, or false ornaments.