in·vest / inˈvest/ • v. 1. [intr.] expend money with the expectation of achieving a profit or material result by putting it into financial schemes, shares, or property, or by using it to develop a commercial venture: getting workers to invest in private pension funds | [tr.] the company is to invest $12 million in its new manufacturing site. ∎  [tr.] devote (one's time, effort, or energy) to a particular undertaking with the expectation of a worthwhile result: politicians who have invested so much time in the Constitution would be crestfallen. ∎  [intr.] (invest in) inf. buy (something) whose usefulness will repay the cost.2. [tr.] (invest someone/something with) provide or endow someone or something with (a particular quality or attribute): the passage of time has invested the words with an unintended humor. ∎  endow someone with (a rank or office). ∎  (invest something in) establish a right or power in.3. [tr.] archaic clothe or cover with a garment: he stands before you invested in the full canonicals of his calling.4. [tr.] archaic surround (a place) in order to besiege or blockade it: Fort Pulaski was invested and captured.DERIVATIVES: in·vest·a·ble adj.in·vest·i·ble adj.in·ves·tor / -ˈvestər/ n.ORIGIN: mid 16th cent. (in the senses ‘clothe,’ ‘clothe with the insignia of a rank,’ and ‘endow with authority’): from French investir or Latin investire, from in- ‘into, upon’ + vestire ‘clothe’ (from vestis ‘clothing’). Sense 1 (early 17th cent.) is influenced by Italian investire.