invest

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To spend money, time, or energy on something, especially for some benefit or purpose; used with in.

   We'd like to thank all the contributors who have invested countless hours into this event.

2. 2
   verb

   To clothe or wrap (with garments).

   He was but shabbily apparelled in faded jacket and patched trowsers; a rag of a black handkerchief investing his neck.

3. 3
   verb

   To put on (clothing).

   Cannot find one this girdle to invest!

4. 4
   verb

   To envelop, wrap, cover.

   Night / Invests the Sea, and wished Morn delayes

5. 5
   verb

   To formally give (someone) some power or authority.

   Madam, whatſoeuer you eſteeme Of this ſucceſſe, and loſſe vnualued, Both may inueſt you Empreſſe of the Eaſt: […]

6. 6
   verb

   To formally give (power or authority).

   For he saith, if there can be found such an inequality between man and man, as there is between man and beast, or between soul and body, it investeth a right of government: which seemeth rather an impossible case than an untrue sentence.

7. 7
   verb

   To surround, accompany, or attend.

   The scene was not without a mixture of awe such as must always invest the spectacle of the guilt and shame in a fellow-creature, before society shall have grown corrupt enough to smile, instead of shuddering, at it.

8. 8
   verb

   To lay siege to.

   to invest a town

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French investir or Medieval Latin investire, from Latin investio (“to clothe, cover”), from in- (“in, on”) + vestio (“to clothe, dress”), from vestis (“clothing”); see vest. The sense “to spend money etc.” probably via Italian investire, of the same root.