n. & v.
--n.
1. an undergarment worn on the upper part of the body.
2 US & Austral. a waistcoat.
3 a usu. V-shaped piece of material to fill the opening at the neck of a woman's dress.
--v.
1. tr. (esp. in passive; foll. by with) bestow or confer (powers, authority, etc.) on (a person).
2 tr. (foll. by in) confer (property or power) on (a person) with an immediate fixed right of immediate or future possession.
3 intr. (foll. by in) (of property, a right, etc.) come into the possession of (a person).
4 a tr. poet. clothe. b intr. Eccl. put on vestments.
Phrases and idioms:
vested interest
1. Law an interest (usu. in land or money held in trust) recognized as belonging to a person.
2 a personal interest in a state of affairs, usu. with an expectation of gain.
Etymology: (n.) F veste f. It. veste f. L vestis garment: (v.) ME, orig. past part. f. OF vestu f. vestir f. L vestire vestit- clothe