| bequeath | 1. To give or leave by will; to give by testament; said especially of personal property. "My heritage, which my dead father did bequeath to me." (Shak) 2. To hand down; to transmit. "To bequeath posterity somewhat to remember it." (Glanvill) 3. To give; to offer; to commit. "To whom, with all submission, on my knee I do bequeath my faithful services And true subjection everlastingly." (Shak) Synonym: To Bequeath, Devise. Both these words denote the giving or disposing of property by will. Devise, in legal usage, is property used to denote a gift by will of real property, and he to whom it is given is called the devisee. Bequeath is properly applied to a gift by will or legacy; i. E, of personal property; the gift is called a legacy, and he who receives it is called a legatee. In popular usage the word bequeath is sometimes enlarged so as to embrace devise; and it is sometimes so construed by courts. Origin: OE. Biquethen, AS. Becwean to say, affirm, bequeath; pref. Be- + cwean to say, speak. See Quoth. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
|---|