bequest

[bih-kwest] Example Sentences Origin

be·quest

[bih-kwest]
noun
1.
2.
a legacy: A small bequest allowed her to live independently.

Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English biqueste, biquyste, equivalent to bi- be- + quiste will, bequest, Old English -cwis(se) (with excrescent t, as in behest), noun derivative of cwethan to say; on the model of bequethen bequeath
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Bequest is always a great word to know.
So is doohickey. Does it mean:
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
a gadget; dingus; thingumbob.
Example Sentences
  • It is said that no accurate estimate of the value of the bequest can be formed until an inventory of the pictures has been taken.
  • Proceeds of the bequest will support three third-year residents at the college.
Collins
World English Dictionary
bequest (bɪˈkwɛst)
 
n
1.  a.  the act of bequeathing
 b.  something that is bequeathed
2.  law devise Compare devise a gift of property by will, esp personal property
 
[C14: be- + Old English -cwiss degree; see bequeath]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

bequest
c.1300, "act of bequeathing," from be- + *cwis, *cwiss "saying" (related to quoth; from P.Gmc. *kwessiz), with excrescent -t. Meaning "that which is bequeathed" is recorded from late 15c
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia

bequest

in law, generally a gift of property by will or testament. The term is used to denote the disposition of either personal or real property in the event of death.

Learn more about bequest with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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