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v. in·vest·ed, in·vest·ing, in·vests v.tr. 1. To commit (money or capital) in order to gain a financial return: invested their savings in stocks and bonds. 2. a. To spend or devote for future advantage or benefit: invested much time and energy in getting a good education. b. To devote morally or psychologically, as to a purpose; commit: "Men of our generation are invested in what they do, women in what we are" (Shana Alexander). 3. To endow with authority or power: The Constitution invests Congress with the power to make laws. 4. To install in office with ceremony: invest a new emperor. 5. To provide with an enveloping or pervasive quality: "A charm invests a face / Imperfectly beheld" (Emily Dickinson). 6. Archaic a. To clothe; adorn. b. To cover completely; envelop. c. To surround with troops or ships; besiege. v.intr. 1. To make investments or an investment: invest in real estate. 2. To purchase with the expectation of benefit: We decided to invest in a new car. [From Italian investire and from French investir, both from Latin investīre, to clothe, surround : in-, in; see IN-2 + vestīre, to clothe (from vestis, clothes; see wes-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots).] in·vesta·ble, in·vesti·ble adj. in·vestor n. |
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