In-vĕst'1, v. t.
v. t. [imp. & p. p. INVESTED; p. pr. & vb. n. INVESTING.] [Lat. investire, from prefix in and vestire, to clothe; It. investire, Fr. investir, Sp. investir, envestir, embestir, Pr. envestir.]
Sense 1. To put garments on; to clothe; to dress; to array;—usually followed by with, sometimes by in; as, to invest one with a robe; also, to put on. “Can not find one this girdle to invest.” Spenser.
Sense 2. To put upon; to endow; hence, to confer; to give; as, to invest one with an estate. Bacon.
Sense 3. To clothe, as with office or authority; to place in possession of rank or dignity; to adorn; to grace; to bedeck; as, to invest with honor, glory, &c.
I do invest you jointly with my power. Shak.
Sense 4. (Mil.) To inclose; to surround; to block up, so as to intercept succors of men and provisions and prevent escape; to lay siege to; as, to invest a town.
Sense 5. To surround with or place in, as property in business; to place so that it will be safe and yield a profit; as, to invest money in bank stock;—followed by in.