n.
- Brit. an undergarment worn on the upper part of the body, typically sleeveless.
- a sleeveless garment worn on the upper part of the body for a particular purpose:
a bulletproof vest.
- N. Amer. & Austral. a waistcoat or sleeveless jacket.
v.
-
(vest something in)
confer or bestow power, property, etc. on:
executive power is vested in the President.
▸
(usu. be vested with)
give (someone) the legal right to power, property, etc.
- put on vestments.
▸literary dress (someone).
Phrase
- play
(or keep)
one's cards close to one's vest
see chest.
Etymology
ME: the verb from OFr. vestu ‘clothed’, past part. of vestir, from L. vestire; the noun from Fr. veste, via Ital. from L. vestis ‘garment’.