contracts. To lay out money in such a manner that it may bring a revenue; as, to invest money in houses or stocks; to give possession. 2. This word, which occurs frequently in the canon law, comes from the Latin word investire, which signifies to clothe or adorn and is used, in that system of jurisprudence, synonymously with enfeoff. Both words signify to put one into the possession of, or to invest with a fief, upon his taking the oath of fealty or fidelity to the prince or superior lord. To loan money npon securities of a more or less permanent nature, or to place It in business ventures or real estate, or otherwise lay it out so that it may produce a revenue or income. To clothe one with the possession of a fief or benefice. See INVESTITURE.