intestate

[ in-tes-teyt, -tit ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

intestate

/ ɪnˈtɛsteɪt; -tɪt /

1. (of a person) not having made a will
2. (of property) not disposed of by will

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin intestātus, equivalent to in- in- ³ + testātus testate

C14: from Latin intestātus, from in- ¹+ testātus, from testārī to bear witness, make a will, from testis a witness

How does intestate compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

If a man die intestate, having no natural heirs, his property shall pass to the nearest agnate.

When a father dies intestate, his property is equally divided among his children, without respect to sex or seniority.

He held that the children took the same shares as if their father died intestate.

You'll see he will die intestate, and everything will go to Harry.

Everything except in name was hers already—if Dick had died intestate.

April 18, 2024petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

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