vest

¹vest

verb \ˈvest\

Definition of VEST

transitive verb

1

a : to place or give into the possession or discretion of some person or authority; especially : to give to a person a legally fixed immediate right of present or future enjoyment of (as an estate)

b : to grant or endow with a particular authority, right, or property <the plan vests workers with pension benefits after 10 years of service>

2

: to clothe with or as if with a garment; especially : to robe in ecclesiastical vestments

intransitive verb

1

: to become legally vested

2

: to put on garments or vestments

Examples of VEST

1. <“By the power vested in me by the state,” intoned the minister, “I now pronounce that you are married”>
2. <vested the power to access their retirement accounts with their attorney>

Origin of VEST

Middle English, from Anglo-French vestir to clothe, invest, vest, from Latin vestire to clothe, from vestis clothing, garment — more at wear

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to VEST

Synonyms

accredit, certify, charter [British], commission, empower, enable, invest, license (also licence), qualify, authorize, warrant

Antonyms

disqualify

Related Words

approve, clear, credential, endorse (also indorse), OK (or okay), sanction; affirm, confirm, validate; inaugurate, induct, initiate, install, instate, swear in; allow, let, permit; enfranchise, entitle, privilege

Near Antonyms

ban, bar, block, constrain, deny, disallow, disbar, discourage, disenfranchise, disfranchise, exclude, hinder, hold back, impede, inhibit, obstruct, prevent, shut out, stop; enjoin, forbid, interdict, outlaw, prohibit, proscribe, veto

Rhymes with VEST

best, breast, Brest, chest, crest, gest, geste, guest, hest, jessed, jest, lest, nest, pest, quest, rest, test, tressed, west, wrest, zest

²vest

noun

Definition of VEST

1

archaic

a : a loose outer garment : robe

b : clothing, garb

2

a : a sleeveless garment for the upper body usually worn over a shirt

b : a protective usually sleeveless garment (as a life preserver) that extends to the waist

c : an insulated sleeveless waist-length garment often worn under or in place of a coat

3

a chiefly British : a man's sleeveless undershirt

b : a knitted undershirt for women

4

: a plain or decorative piece used to fill in the front neckline of a woman's outer garment (as a blouse or dress)

— vest·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

Origin of VEST

French veste, from Italian, from Latin vestis garment

First Known Use: 1613

Other Clothing Terms

babushka, brogue, bumbershoot, cravat, dishabille, furbelow, layette, raiment, spectator