bequeath
bih-KWEETH
/bɪˈkwiːð/
To leave (a personal estate or one's body) to a person or other beneficiary by a will; to pass on or leave (something) to someone else.
Formal and legal. It implies a deliberate act of giving something to be used after one's death.
The story behind the word. In Old English, 'cwethan' meant 'to say' (related to the modern word 'quoth'). To bequeath was to 'speak about' your property—to declare publicly who should get it when you died.
Word relationships
- will: To 'will' something is more common; 'bequeath' is the more formal, traditional legal term.
- disinherit: To disinherit is to ensure someone does NOT receive property.
Commonly confused with
- bestow: Bestow is to give a gift or honor while alive; bequeath is to leave it after death.
Word family
- bequest (noun): The act of bequeathing; something bequeathed.
Collocations
- bequeath to
- bequeath property
- formally bequeath
Example sentences
- "In her will, she chose to bequeath her extensive library to the local university." Legal will
- "The founding fathers sought to bequeath a legacy of liberty to future generations." Abstract passing on
Memory hook
You 'be-queath' something when you 'be-quit' (leave) this life. To speak into the future.
When not to use
Too formal for giving a gift while alive; use 'give' or 'gift'.
Fun facts
- The word 'bequest' is the noun form, but 'bequeathment' is also a valid, though rarer, term.
Also appears in
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