bequest

[ bih-kwest ]
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noun
  1. a disposition in a will.

  2. a legacy: A small bequest allowed her to live independently.

Origin of bequest

1
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 bequethenbequeath

Words Nearby bequest

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How to use bequest in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for bequest

bequest

/ (bɪˈkwɛst) /


noun
    • the act of bequeathing

    • something that is bequeathed

  1. law a gift of property by will, esp personal property: Compare devise (def. 4), devise (def. 5)

Origin of bequest

1
C14: be- + Old English -cwiss degree; see bequeath

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