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To investigate thoroughly. [Obs.]

Thorough investigation. [Obs.] Chillingworth.

The scientific description of rocks; that department of science which investigates the constitution of rocks; petrology.

The study of language, especially in a philosophical manner and as a science; the investigation of the laws of human speech, the relation of different tongues to one another, and historical development of languages; linguistic science.

To reason like a philosopher; to search into the reason and nature of things; to investigate phenomena, and assign rational causes for their existence. Man philosophizes as he lives. He may philosophize well or ill, but philosophize he must. Sir W. Hamilton.

To speculate in physiology; to make physiological investigations. Cudworth.

The delicate and highly vascular membrane immediately investing the brain and spinal cord.

Among the Jews, penetrating investigation, disputation, and drawing of conclusions, esp. in Talmudic study. -- Pil"pul*ist (#), n. --Pil`pul*is"tic (#), a.

To put out at interest; to invest; to loan; as, to place money in a bank.

de or mechanical business; also, sometimes including real estate, and whatever represents investment of capital in the means of carrying on a business, but not including material worked upon or finished products; as, the plant of a foundry, a mill, or a railroad.

A person invested with full power to transact any business; especially, an ambassador or envoy to a foreign court, with full power to negotiate a treaty, or to transact other business.

give possession, to put in another's power or occupancy. -- To put in possession. (a) To invest with ownership or occupancy; to provide or furnish with; as, to put one in possession of facts or information. (b) (Law) To place one in charge of property recovered in ejectment or writ of entry. -- To take possession, to…

The agent exercising an ability to act; an individual invested with authority; an institution, or government, which exercises control; as, the great powers of Europe; hence, often, a superhuman agent; a spirit; a divinity. "The powers of darkness." Milton. And the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. Matt. xxiv. 29.…

To invest with the office of prebendary; to present to a prebend. [Obs.] Grafton.

That form of church government which invests presbyters with all spiritual power, and admits no prelates over them; also, the faith and polity of the Presbyterian churches, taken collectively.

A prince; one invested with sovereignty. "Next upstood Nisroch, of principalities the prime." Milton.

Not invested with, or engaged in, public office or employment; as, a private citizen; private life. Shak. A private person may arrest a felon. Blackstone.

The state of one not invested with public office.

To grant some particular right or exemption to; to invest with a peculiar right or immunity; to authorize; as, to privilege representatives from arrest. To privilege dishonor in thy name. Shak.

Invested with a privilege; enjoying a peculiar right, advantage, or immunity. Privileged communication. (Law) (a) A communication which can not be disclosed without the consent of the party making it, -- such as those made by a client to his legal adviser, or by persons to their religious or medical advisers. (b) A com…