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Definition of Bequeath
1. Verb. Leave or give by will after one's death. "They bequeath them the money"; "My grandfather left me his entire estate"
Related verbs: Leave, Leave Behind, Give, Impart, Leave, Pass On
Generic synonyms: Gift, Give, Present
Specialized synonyms: Devise, Pass On, Remember, Entail, Fee-tail
Antonyms: Disinherit
Derivative terms: Will
Definition of Bequeath
1. v. t. To give or leave by will; to give by testament; -- said especially of personal property.
Definition of Bequeath
1. to grant by testament [v -ED, -ING, -S]
Medical Definition of Bequeath
1. 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)