Collins English-English Dictionary

invest [ɪn'vεst]

1. 1. vb [often foll by in] to lay out (money or capital in an enterprise, esp by purchasing shares) with the expectation of profit

2. 2. vt. [tr; often foll by in] to devote (effort, resources, etc, to a project)

3. 3. vt. [tr; often foll by in or with] [archaic or ceremonial] to clothe or adorn (in some garment, esp the robes of an office)

   to invest a king in the insignia of an emperor

4. 4. vt. [tr; often foll by in] to install formally or ceremoniously (in an official position, rank, etc)

5. 5. vt. [tr; foll by in or with] to place (power, authority, etc, in) or provide (with power or authority)

   to invest new rights in the monarchy

6. 6. vt. [tr; usually passive; foll by in or with] to provide or endow (a person with qualities, characteristics, etc)

   he was invested with great common sense

7. 7. vt. [tr; foll by with] [usually poetic] to cover or adorn, as if with a coat or garment

   when spring invests the trees with leaves

8. 8. vt. [tr] [rare] to surround with military forces; besiege

9. 9. vi. [intr; foll by in] [Spoken] to purchase; buy

10. 10. vi. [Etymology] C16: from Medieval Latin investire to clothe, from Latin, from vestire, from vestis a garment