Latin

in-

in, into, on, upon

Forms

in-
im- — Used before b, m, or p in Latin.
il- — Used before l in Latin.
ir- — Used before r in Latin.
en- — Developed in French in some words later borrowed into English.

Origin

Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *en, ‘in.’

Note

Identical spellings can hide two different prefixes: this one indicates position or direction, while the other means ‘not.’

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noun

investiture

in-VES-tih-cher/ɪnˈvestɪtʃər/

The formal granting of an office or authority to someone.

At her investiture, the new officeholder receives a ceremonial gold chain.

A formal civic investiture: an officiant ceremonially places a substantial gold chain of office around a new officeholder’s shoulders as she stands solemnly on a low dais.

Etymology

inLatinin, into, on, upon

+vestLatinclothe or cover

+itureLatinan activity, result, or associated thing

The clothing root points to a ceremony of dressing someone in the insignia of office. That ceremonial clothing expressed the conferral of rank or authority, which remains the central meaning of investiture.

In context

V. Birchwood10:30

her 25th anniversary of her investiture to the Supreme Court.

500 Years of Lace History ft. Elena Kanagy-Loux

More examples

The judge's investiture takes place at the courthouse.
Her investiture as university president marks the start of her term.
The charter requires a formal investiture before the governor assumes authority.

Forms

investiture · investitures

invest verb — To formally grant someone authority or rank.

Similar words

installation: Focuses on formally placing someone in a particular office.
inauguration: Emphasizes the ceremonial beginning of a term in office.