investiture

[ in-ves-ti-cher, -choor ]

noun

1. the act or process of investing.
2. the formal bestowal, confirmation, or presentation of rank, office, or a possessory or prescriptive right, usually involving the giving of insignia or an official title. lay investiture.
3. the state of being invested, as with a garment, quality, or office.
4. something that covers or adorns.
5. Archaic. something that invests.

investiture

/ ɪnˈvɛstɪtʃə /

noun

1. the act of presenting with a title or with the robes and insignia of an office or rank
2. (in feudal society) the formal bestowal of the possessory right to a fief or other benefice
3. a less common word for investment

Derived Forms

• inˈvestitive, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of investiture¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Medieval Latin investītūra, equivalent to investīt(us) (past participle of investīre “to install”; invest ) + -ūra -ure

Example Sentences

But on Friday, she attended an investiture at Buckingham Palace and was granted a private audience by the Queen.

From The Daily Beast

The Cardinal then hinted, that Wharton had vanished on some occult mission, to circumvent the Italian investiture.

From Project Gutenberg

This is called the "Investiture of the Top-knot," and is always attended by solemn ceremonies.

From Project Gutenberg

Hence the oath of fealty was a personal obligation, and investiture was needful before the new feudee took possession.

From Project Gutenberg

On it was written what Vulcan had told him about his mental attitude changing after Investiture.

From Project Gutenberg

It had all begun on the day of his Final Investiture, and he had gone through every event in memory, over and over.

From Project Gutenberg