In*ves"ti*ture (?; 135), n. [LL.
investitura: cf. F. investiture.]
1. The act or ceremony of investing, or the
state of being invested, as with an office; a giving possession;
also, the right of so investing.
He had refused to yield up to the pope the
investiture of bishops.
Sir W.
Raleigh.
2. (Feudal Law) Livery of
seizin.
The grant of land or a feud was perfected by the
ceremony of corporal investiture, or open delivery of
possession.
Blackstone.
3. That with which anyone is invested or
clothed; investment; clothing; covering.
While we yet have on
Our gross investiture of mortal weeds.
Trench.