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Divest vs Exempt - What's the difference?

divest | exempt |

In lang=en terms the difference between divest and exempt

is that divest is to sell off or be rid of through sale, especially of a subsidiary while exempt is to grant (someone) freedom or immunity (from).

As verbs the difference between divest and exempt

is that divest is (archaic) to undress, disrobe while exempt is to grant (someone) freedom or immunity (from).

As an adjective exempt is

free from a duty or obligation.

As a noun exempt is

one who has been released from something.

divest

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • (archaic) To undress, disrobe.
  • * 1897 , Henry James, What Maisie Knew :
    • Having divested the child he kissed her gently and gave her a little pat to make her stand off.
  • To strip, deprive, or dispossess (someone) (of) something (such as a right, passion, privilege, or prejudice).
    • You shall never divest me of my right to free speech.
    When I wake up, I make a point to divest myself of all my prejudices, ready to start the day.
  • To sell off or be rid of through sale, especially of a subsidiary
    • In 2011 the company divested an 81% majority stake in its Chinese subsidiary.

    Related terms

    * divestiture

    exempt

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Free from a duty or obligation.
    • In their country all women are exempt from military service.
    His income is so small that it is exempt from tax.
  • * Dryden
    • 'Tis laid on all, not any one exempt .
  • (of an employee or his position) Not entitled to overtime pay when working overtime.
  • (obsolete) Cut off; set apart.
  • * Shakespeare
    • corrupted, and exempt from ancient gentry
  • (obsolete) Extraordinary; exceptional.
    • (Chapman)

    Derived terms

    * tax-exempt

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • One who has been released from something.
  • (historical) A type of French police officer.
  • * 1840 , (William Makepeace Thackeray), ‘Cartouche’, The Paris Sketch Book :
    • with this he slipped through the exempts quite unsuspected, and bade adieu to the Lazarists and his honest father […].
  • (UK) One of four officers of the Yeomen of the Royal Guard, having the rank of corporal; an exon.

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To grant (someone) freedom or immunity (from).

    • Related terms

    * exemption