vest
vest Lexical Profile
vest Game Scores & Validity
• noun
American A sleeveless garment worn on the upper body, typically buttoning down the front and worn over a shirt and under a jacket.
"He looked sharp at the wedding in a three-piece suit with a matching silk vest."
A specialized sleeveless garment worn over normal clothing for protection, safety, or visibility.
"The construction crew was required to wear bright yellow reflective vests while working near the highway."
British A sleeveless undergarment worn on the upper body beneath a shirt to provide warmth or absorb sweat.
"Despite the cold morning air, he was only wearing a cotton vest under his thin jumper."
• verb
To become fully established as a legal right or entitlement, especially regarding employee stock options or pension plans over a set period.
"Her company stock options will vest completely after she completes four years of continuous employment."
To confer or bestow power, authority, property, or legal rights upon someone.
"The newly drafted constitution vests executive power entirely in the hands of the president."
To dress oneself in ecclesiastical vestments or specialized ceremonial garments.
"The choir members gathered in the sacristy to vest before the Sunday service began."
Word Nuance & Usage
In American English, a 'vest' typically refers to a tailored outer garment (a waistcoat), while in British English, it traditionally refers to a sleeveless undergarment worn beneath a shirt.
• Rhymes for vest
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old French 'veste', derived from Latin 'vestis' meaning 'garment'. The verb senses evolved from the metaphorical idea of 'clothing' someone with official power, authority, or rights.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.