invest
Meaning
To commit money or capital to a financial venture with the expectation of achieving a profit.
To devote time, effort, or energy to a particular undertaking with the hope of a worthwhile result.
To formally endow with power, authority, or rank.
Structure
Usage
She decided to invest a portion of her savings in government bonds.
You need to invest more time in practicing if you want to master the skill.
The ceremony was held to formally invest the new president with his powers.
Etymology
The word 'invest' entered English in the mid-16th century from Italian 'investire' and ultimately from Latin 'investire', meaning 'to clothe, to surround'. The financial sense developed from the earlier meaning of 'to clothe with the insignia of office', which involved a ceremonial endowment of power or authority. This concept evolved metaphorically: just as one is clothed in authority, capital is clothed or enveloped into an enterprise. Thus, the core logic progressed from the literal act of dressing or surrounding to the abstract acts of endowing with qualities and committing resources for future gain.
Analysis
- in (Latin): A prefix meaning 'in, into, on, upon'. - vest (Latin): A root from 'vestire', meaning 'to clothe, to dress'.