Also 5 Sc. west. [ad. OF. vestir (mod.F. vêtir, = Sp. and Pg. vestir, It. vestire):—L. vestīre to clothe, f. vestis clothing: see prec.]
I. 1. trans. To place, settle or secure (something) in the possession of a person or persons; = INVEST v. 6. Chiefly in passive, and usually const. in (rarely upon or with). a. With reference to estates, rights, titles, etc.
c. 1425. Wyntoun, Cron., VIII. xl. 7089. Al Gascon wiþe þe portynance To be insesit and westit He and al his ayris qwhit.
1475. Rolls of Parlt., VI. 147/1. That all such astate, title, right,… and possession … in the same persone and persones and their heires be vested.
1503–4. Act 19 Hen. VII., c. 34 § 7. The seid Castels … [shall] in the same persone or persones and their heires be vested and they therin be intiteled.
1585. Holinshed, Hist. Scot., in Chron., II. 244/2. The right of which countie king Dauid affirmed to be iustlie in him … as truelie vested in his possession by the forfeiture.
1650. Vind. Hammond’s Addr., § 60. 24. What is vested in me, I may give or derive to another; what is intrusted onely, I cannot.
1651. N. Bacon, Disc. Govt. Eng., II. viii. (1739), 52. No Legiance is due to him, before the Crown is vested upon him.
1702. Lond. Gaz., No. 3830/4. Until all the said Estates and Interests vested in them are disposed of.
1758. in Nairne, Peerage Evid. (1874), 68. The late act of parliament vesting the estates of certain traitors in his majesty.
1818. Cruise, Digest (ed. 2), II. 22. There were no words to vest the portions in the daughters till a marringe with consent.
1847. Bright, Sp., Ireland, 13 Dec. (1876), 155. A bill with this title to vest the ownership of the land with the present occupiers.
1858. Ld. St. Leonards, Handy Bk. Prop. Law, xvi. 107. The Court may direct the parts so laid out to remain vested in the trustees.
b. With reference to power or authority.
1659. Hammond, On Ps. lxxx. 17. By which the power is vested on him.
1672. Marvell, Reh. Transp., I. 98. The Government of Religion was vested in Princes by an antecedent right to Christ.
1691. T. H[ale], Acc. New Invent., p. lxxxvii. That power of abating Nusances … is vested in both of their Offices, both by Grant and Prescription.
1756. C. Lucas, Ess. Waters, III. 244. There is a particular jurisdiction vested in the officers.
1774. Pennant, Tour Scotl. in 1772, 45. The right of voting is vested by burgess tenure in certain houses.
1801. Wellesley, in Owen, Desp. (1877), 210. It is my intention to proceed immediately to vest the administration of the ceded districts in the hands of the Company’s civil servants.
1841. Elphinstone, Hist. India, I. 37. The government of the society thus constituted was vested in an absolute monarch.
1867. Freeman, Norm. Conq., I. 533. That vague power of recommending a successor which the Law vested in him.
c. transf.
1849. Ruskin, Sev. Lamps, v. § 21. 157. If completeness is thought to be vested in polish, and to be attainable by help of sand paper.
1852. Thackeray, Esmond, I. iii. Proud of this confidence and secret vested in him.
2. To put, place or establish (a person) in full or legal possession or occupation of something; = INVEST v. 5. Chiefly in passive, and usually const. in (or † of).
In early use only Sc. in the phrase vested (also vest) and seized.
1464. in Acc. Fam. Innes (1864), 78. The said schir Robert deyt last ves[t]it and sesit as of fee.
1488. Acta Dom. Audit. (1839), 123/2. It beis prefit þat Williame þe barde deit last westit and Sesit in þe said landis.
1557. Rec. Inverness (New Spald. Cl.), I. 6. For sesing takyn of all landis Wilyam Paterson his fadyr deit last vestit and sesit conforme to his serwing.
1597. Burgh Rec. Glasgow (1876), I. 186. All landis, rowmes, heretageis,… quhairin he deitt last vest and seasit.
1672. Petty, Pol. Anat. (1691), 329. Of which the Irish that are vested by restoration, seem rather to take part with the divested.
1749. Fielding, Tom Jones, IX. iv. The sergeant presently inquired for the principal magistrate of the town, and was informed by my landlord that he himself was vested in that office.
a. 1774. Goldsm., Hist. Greece, I. 108. Miltiades thus vested in the supreme command [etc.].
1905. Times, 8 June, 6/4. The Government proposed that the Free Church should be vested in the property to be allocated to her.
fig. 1654. H. L’Estrange, Chas. I. (1655), 126. Not all his most gracious and debonair mine towards them could vest him in that Nations affections.
c. 1680. Beveridge, Serm. (1729), I. 29. In order to their being actually vested in that salvation.
1705. Stanhope, Paraphr., II. 442. All, who partake of this Nature, are not only certain of, but may in some sense be said already vested in the Happiness, which [etc.].
b. To invest (a person) with some quality, esp. power, authority, etc. Chiefly in passive.
1674. Owen, Holy Spirit (1693), 126. It is his Person as vested with all his Offices, that is the immediate Fountain of all Grace unto us.
1699. Burnet, 39 Art., iv. (1700), 67. He is vested with an unconceivable high degree of Glory.
1719. De Foe, Crusoe, II. (Globe), 574. God’s most glorious and best Creature,… vested with a reasonable Soul. Ibid. (1727), Hist. Appar., iv. (1840), 32. They may be reasonably supposed to be vested with the same powers.
1777. Goldsm., Hist. Eng., IV. 13. [He was] created a peer, and was soon after vested with the dignity of chancellor.
1797. Ht. Lee, Canterb. T., Old Woman’s T. (1799), I. 361. [Thou] art vested with the mission of thy … king.
1803. in Gurwood, Wellington’s Desp. (1837), II. 50, note. I further vest you with full powers to decide any question which may arise.
1817. Jas. Mill, Brit. India, II. IV. ix. 288. To vest the officers of the Crown in India with powers independent of the Company.
1844. H. H. Wilson, Brit. India, I. 227. The Indian Government was vested with the power of sovereignty within its own limits.
c. To endow formally or legally with some possession or property.
1756. Anson’s Voyages (ed. 8), I. v. 70. This company, in consideration of a sum paid to the king, is vested with the property of all diamonds found in Brazil.
1858. in J. B. Norton, Topics, 246. We propose … that every ryot should be vested with the freehold of his farm.
3. intr. To become vested (in a person); to pass into possession; to descend or devolve upon one as possessor.
1592. West, 1st Pt. Symbol., § 44. Euerie estate either executed maintenant, or executorie by limitation of use, which vesteth in possession by vertue of the Statute of 27 H. 8.
1647. N. Bacon, Disc. Govt. Eng., I. xli. (1739), 66. In those days the title vested not unless the Child opened his eyes.
a. 1715. Burnet, Own Time (1766), II. 137. If the Duke came to be King, the prerogative would by that vest in him.
1765. Blackstone, Comm., I. 196. For the right of the crown vests … upon his heir.
1818. Cruise, Digest (ed. 2), VI. 500. The Court held … that the whole estate vested in L. his executors and administrators.
1827. Jarman, Powell’s Devises, II. 223. The principle … does not apply, if there be an express declaration that the land shall vest at twenty-one.
1865. Lowell, Reconstruct., Prose Wks. 1890, V. 227. In all cases of land granted to freedmen no title should vest till a fair price had been paid.
1885. Sir R. Baggallay, in Law Times’ Rep., LII. 677/2. The property vests in the official receiver qua trustee.
II. 4. trans. In pa. pple.: Dressed, clothed, robed in some garment. Also without const. (spec. with reference to ecclesiastical vestments).
1513. Douglas, Æneid, VII. ii. 3. And heich abuf … cleirlie schane Aurora vestit into broun sanguane. Ibid., xi. 29. In rob ryall vestit,… And ryche purpour.
1582. N. T. (Rhem.), Rev. i. 13. One like to the Sonne of man, vested in a priestly garment to the foote.
1622. I. W., Oudin’s Sp. Gram., 297. He … saies that a Frier stayes for you readie vested at the Altar.
c. 1655. Milton, Sonn., xxiii. My late espoused Saint … Came vested all in white, pure as her mind.
a. 1668. Davenant, Fair Favorite, Wks. (1673), 97. Your Brother (Madam) and he brings A Lady with him, vested like a Nun.
1718. Ozell, trans. Tournefort’s Voy., I. 92. The Priest being vested, sets about the Preparation of the Bread and Wine at the little Altar.
1761. Brit. Mag., II. 362. On the dexter side, a pilgrim or friar, vested in russet.
1849. Rock, Ch. of Fathers, I. v. (1903), I. 328. The thurifers and taper-bearers, in our large collegiate and cathedral churches, were vested in tunicles.
1859. Jephson, Brittany, vi. 76. A priest, vested in surplice and stole.
b. transf. and fig. Also const. with.
1679. Dryden, Troil. & Cress., Pref., Ess. (Ker), I. 219. Spirits, according to Plato, are vested with a subtle body.
a. 1706. Evelyn, Hist. Relig. (1850), I. 81. We see other living creatures come vested, armed, able immediately to find their pasture.
a. 1721. Prior, Dial. betw. Charles & Clenard, ¶ 18. Hast thou not seen me … vested in all the Types and Ornaments that Human Greatness is capable of receiving.
1805. D. Johnston, Serm. for Blind, 44. The brightest ornaments with which our natures can be vested.
1865. Neale, Hymns Paradise, 8. The Saints, in beauty vested.
5. Of a garment: To clothe or cover (a person). Also fig. Cf. INVEST v. 1 b.
1582. Stanyhurst, Æneis, I. (Arb.), 38. Which plad vested Helen, from Greece when to Troy she flitted.
1812. Cary, Dante, Parad., XXI. 59. The light that vests me.
6. To dress (a person) in a robe or garment, esp. as a formal act or ceremony. Cf. INVEST v. 1.
In the 17th cent. chiefly with reference to Oriental usage.
1648. W. L., Newes fr. Turkie, 7. My Lord was privatly informed he intended an affront by not Vesting him.
1670. Clarendon, Hist. Reb., XV. § 47. The Speaker … vested him with a rich purple Velvet Robe lined with Ermines.
1695. Voy. Eng. Merch. to Tadmor, in Misc. Cur. (1708), III. 130. To draw him near the City, he vested and caressed some of his Followers.
1840. H. Jolly, Sunday Services, 219. The words formerly pronounced at vesting the baptized with their white garments, were very solemnly expressive.
1868. Gladstone, Juv. Mundi, viii. 292. The Charites receive her on her return from the scene of the Net to Cyprus, where they bathe, anoint, and vest her.
fig. 1639. G. Daniel, Ecclus., ii. 71. Prepare their hearts, and in Humilitye New vest their Soules.
b. Eccl. To drape or cover (an altar).
1867. Portuary Calendar, p. v. Our right … to vest the Altar in colours … is grounded on the old law of the English church.
1874. Micklethwaite, Mod. Par. Churches, 305. It is best for the ends as well as the front of an altar to be vested.
1875. Encycl. Brit., I. 641/2. Altars are ‘vested’ during service; that is, covered with cloths of various kinds.
7. refl. To apparel or robe (oneself), esp. in ecclesiastical vestments. Also fig.
a. 1668. Lassels, Voy. Italy (1698), I. 41. Thinking it had been a priest putting on the amice and vesting himself to say Mass.
1727. De Foe, Hist. Appar., iv. (1840), 30. If we grant that spirit … may vest itself so with flesh and blood.
1748. Richardson, Clarissa (1811), VIII. 63. I shall vest myself, as I may say, in classical armour.
c. 1771. in E. H. Burton, Life Bp. Challoner (1909), I. ix. 140. Just before the Bishop vested himself to say Mass.
1892. C. E. Norton, Dante’s Parad., iii. 17. There are who vest and veil themselves.
1905. R. Bagot, Passport, xvii. 159. Don Agostino disappeared into the sacristy to vest himself.
b. absol. in the same sense.
1882. Maskell, Anc. Liturgy Ch. Eng. (ed. 3), 219. A common custom … that the priest (whether or not he vested before the altar) should vest in the sanctuary.
1892. in A. E. Lee, Hist. Columbus (Ohio), II. 657. The imposing procession … moved … up the main aisle to the sanctuary where the celebrant vested.
III. 8. trans. = INVEST v. 9. Now rare or Obs.
1719. De Foe, Crusoe, I. (Globe), 36. The Merchant … vesting this Hundred Pounds in English Goods.
1771. H. Walpole, Vertue’s Anecd. Paint. (1786), IV. 139. He was then in good circumstances, and it was said came to vest his money in our stocks.
1794. Burke, Corr. (1844), IV. 247. He vested in some kind of property … all, or almost all, that he had brought out of France.
1804. Earl Lauderd., Publ. Wealth (1819), 178. He vests his capital either in seed … or in a stock of cattle.
1845. M’Culloch, Taxation, Introd. (1852), 11. Her capitalists were tempted to vest very large sums in foreign countries.
1863. [see VESTED ppl. a. 3].
