investiture
noun
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In its original meaning, an investiture was the clothing of a new officeholder in garments that symbolized power. The Middle Ages saw much debate over the investiture of bishops by kings and emperors. These rulers felt that high religious offices were theirs to give as rewards for someone's loyal service or as bribes for someone's future support; the popes, on the other hand, regarded these investitures as the improper buying and selling of church offices. The investiture struggle caused tension between popes and monarchs and even led to wars.
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Examples of investiture in a Sentence
Janine Henni, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
The Barry Prize recipients were honored at an investiture ceremony on October 23 at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. AASL gave out its first Barry Prizes last year when the Academy was launched and its initial members inducted.
—Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
Ardern, who was in office from 2017 to 2023, was made a Dame Grand Commander of the New Zealand Order of Merit at Windsor Castle on Oct. 16 at an investiture ceremony that recognized other luminaries, as well.
—Rachel Burchfield, People.com, 16 Oct. 2024
Hatton had been invited by the palace to capture the investiture on camera, as part of a series of unforgettable experiences.
—Simon Perry, People.com, 3 Oct. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Investiture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/investiture. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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investiture
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investiture
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