(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.)
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
