Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Bequeath?

\Be*queath"\ (b[-e]*kw[=e][th]"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bequeathed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Bequeathing}.] [OE. biquethen, AS. becwe[eth]an to say, affirm, bequeath; pref. be- + cwe[eth]an to say, speak. See {Quoth}.] 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. [Obs.] To whom, with all submission, on my knee I do bequeath my faithful services And true subjection everlastingly. --Shak. Syn: To {Bequeath}, {Devise}. Usage: 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.