Bequeathing

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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.


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              My heritage, which my dead father did bequeath to
              me.                                   --Shak.
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     2. To hand down; to transmit.
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              To bequeath posterity somewhat to remember it.
                                                    --Glanvill.
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     3. To give; to offer; to commit. [Obs.]
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              To whom, with all submission, on my knee
              I do bequeath my faithful services
              And true subjection everlastingly.    --Shak.
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     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.
            [1913 Webster]