Definition: Investment

From New World Encyclopedia

Etymology

invest + -ment, borrowed from Middle French investir or Medieval Latin investire, from Latin investio (to clothe, cover), from in- (in, on) + vestio (to clothe, dress), from vestis (clothing). The sense "to spend money etc." probably via Italian investire, of the same root.

Noun

investment (countable and uncountable, plural investments)

  1. The act of investing, or state of being invested, or spending money or time especially for a benefit.
    Giving your children a good education is a wise long-term investment.
  2. (finance) A placement of capital in expectation of deriving income or profit from its use or appreciation.
  3. (military) The act of surrounding, blocking up, or besieging by an armed force, or the state of being so surrounded.
  4. A mixture of silica sand and plaster which, by surrounding a wax pattern, creates a negative mold of the form used for casting, among other metals, bronze.

Derived terms

  • alternative investment
  • angel investment
  • capital investment
  • ethical investment
  • foreign direct investment
  • foreign investment
  • investment bank
  • investment banker
  • investment banking
  • investment casting
  • investment company
  • investment consultant
  • investment firm
  • investment fund
  • investment strategy
  • malinvestment
  • misinvestment
  • private investment banker
  • return on investment
  • term investment

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