%vestiture%

n. The act of stripping, or depriving; the state of being divested; the deprivation, or surrender, of possession of property, rights, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ LL. investitura: cf. F. investiture. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. The act or ceremony of investing, or the state of being invested, as with an office; a giving possession; also, the right of so investing. [ 1913 Webster ]

He had refused to yield up to the pope the investiture of bishops. Sir W. Raleigh. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Feudal Law) Livery of seizin. [ 1913 Webster ]

The grant of land or a feud was perfected by the ceremony of corporal investiture, or open delivery of possession. Blackstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. That with which anyone is invested or clothed; investment; clothing; covering. [ 1913 Webster ]

While we yet have on
Our gross investiture of mortal weeds. Trench. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. An outer vestment or garment. [ R. ] Bp. Horne. [ 1913 Webster ]