rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryRoot: vestire
Latin

vestire

clothe or cover

Forms

  • vestire
  • vestit- — The form used for completed action.

Origin

Formed from Latin vestis, “clothing,” from an ancient clothing family.

Note

Clothing can become a model for furnishing something with an office, right, or appearance.

2 / 4
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.