Invesʹtiture. (Latin, clothing in or putting on canonicals.)

The admission to office is generally made by investiture; thus, a pair of gloves is given to a Freemason in France; a cap is given to a graduate; a crown, etc., to a sovereign, etc. A crosier and ring used to be given to a church dignitary; but are now simply placed in his hands on his induction into office. In the eleventh and twelfth centuries the kings of Europe and the pope were perpetually at variance about the right of investiture; the question was, should the sovereigns or should the pope invest clergymen or appoint them to their livings and dignities? (Latin, vestis, a garment; investio. (See Induction.)