divest

To divest means to get rid of something you own or control—often by selling it—or to take something away from someone, such as property, rights, or power. Historically, it had strong legal connotations relating to the taking away of land or titles, sometimes unjustly. Today it is most commonly used in a business context to describe selling off subsidiaries or assets. A company might divest a division that isn't performing well, or one that doesn't fit with its long-term strategy. For example: "The corporation decided to divest its coal mines and invest in renewable energy."

But divestment extends beyond just financial transactions. It can also mean to rid oneself of something abstract—like a belief, habit, or emotion. You might divest yourself of prejudice, anger, or even unnecessary possessions. This usage emphasizes the intentional act of letting go and freeing oneself from something considered burdensome or undesirable.

The term gained prominence in recent years with the rise of socially responsible investing, where individuals and institutions choose to divest from companies involved in controversial industries like fossil fuels or tobacco—a powerful way to express their values through financial choices.

So whether it's selling off assets, shedding old beliefs, or making ethical investment decisions, to divest is to deliberately relinquish ownership or involvement, often with the goal of simplification, improvement, or alignment with one's principles.