Invest with is a phrase that means to contribute money towards a cause or enterprise. The spelling of this phrase is straightforward, with each word having its own distinct pronunciation. Invest is pronounced as /ɪnˈvɛst/ with the stressed syllable being "vest." With is pronounced as /wɪð/ with the voiced "th" sound at the end. When combined, these words form the simple phrase "invest with," which is commonly used in finance and business to indicate someone's financial contributions to a venture.
The phrase "invest with" refers to the act of bestowing or conferring someone or something with qualities or attributes that enhance their value or significance. It involves endowing or imbuing a person, object, or entity with particular characteristics or powers, often metaphorical in nature. This expression is frequently used in contexts that involve attributing qualities such as authority, responsibility, trust, or power to someone or something.
When an individual is "invested with" authority, it means they are granted or given power or control over a specific domain or situation. For example, a new manager can be invested with the authority to make important decisions on behalf of a company or team.
Similarly, "investing a person with trust" implies giving them the responsibility or reliance to perform certain tasks or fulfill certain expectations. It is a way of entrusting someone with faith and belief in their capabilities.
Furthermore, "investing an object with symbolism" denotes conferring it with a deeper meaning or significance beyond its physical attributes. This can be seen when objects such as flags or symbols are invested with sentimental or nationalistic value, representing ideas and ideals that hold great importance to certain groups or societies.
In summary, the phrase "invest with" involves granting qualities, attributes, powers, or responsibilities to individuals, objects, or entities, resulting in an enhancement of their value, significance, or purpose.
The word "invest" has its origins in the Latin word "investire", which means "to clothe" or "to robe". In medieval Latin, "investire" came to be associated with the act of formally installing or conferring someone with authority, such as the investiture of a monarch or the appointment of a clergy member. Over time, the meaning of "invest" expanded to include financial investments where one commits money or resources with the expectation of gaining profits or income.
The use of "invest with" as a phrasal verb likely evolved from the original meaning of "invest" in the sense of conferring someone with authority. By extension, "invest with" came to imply the act of endowing or granting someone or something with a certain quality, attribute, power, or responsibility. For example, one could "invest a person with authority" or "invest a story with emotion".