First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1vest
verb \ˈvest\
: to give (someone) the legal right or power to do something or to own land or property
Full 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
See vest defined for English-language learners
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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
Related to VEST
2vest
noun
: a sleeveless piece of clothing with buttons down the front that is worn over a shirt and under a suit jacket
: a special piece of clothing that you wear on your upper body for protection or safety
: a man's sleeveless undershirt
Full Definition of VEST
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
See vest defined for English-language learners
Origin of VEST
French veste, from Italian, from Latin vestis garment
First Known Use: 1613
Other Clothing Terms
VEST Defined for Kids
1vest
noun \ˈvest\
Definition of VEST for Kids
: a sleeveless garment usually worn under a suit coat
2vest
verb
vest·edvest·ing
Definition of VEST for Kids
1
: to place or give into the possession or control of some person or authority <The Constitution vests the Congress with certain powers.>
2
: to clothe in vestments
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