bequeath
Definitions
- 1. To leave (a personal estate or one's body) to a person or other beneficiary by a will.
- 2. To hand down or pass on (something) to future generations or others.
Usage Examples
- He bequeathed his collection of rare books to the university library.
- She plans to bequeath her land to her children after her passing.
Etymology
Derived from Middle English "biquethen," meaning "to make a will or testament," from Old English "becwethan," combining "be-" meaning "about" and "cweðan" meaning "to say" or "to speak." The term originally referred to the verbal expression of one's will and has evolved to encompass the act of legally leaving assets after death.
Synonyms
- Leave
- Pass on
- Endow
- Hand down
- Bequest
Antonyms
- Keep
- Retain
- Withhold
- Seize
Translations
Language |
Translation |
Pronunciation |
Spanish |
Legar |
/leˈɣar/ |
French |
Leguer |
/ləɡɥɛʁ/ |
German |
Vererben |
/fɛˈʁɛʁbən/ |
Italian |
Legare |
/leˈɡare/ |
Chinese (Mandarin) |
遗赠 |
/yí zèng/ |
Russian |
Завещать |
/zɐvʲɪˈɕːætʲ/ |
Arabic |
يوصي |
/yūṣī/ |
Japanese |
遺贈する |
/izō suru/ |
Korean |
유증하다 |
/yujunghada/ |
Portuguese |
Legar |
/leˈɡaɾ/ |
Hindi |
वसीयत करना |
/vasīyat karnā/ |
Bengali |
অংশিদান |
/ôṅśidān/ |
Telugu |
వసీయం చేయు |
/vasīyaṁ cēyu/ |
Punjabi |
ਵਸੀਅਤ ਕਰਨਾ |
/vasīat karna/ |
Marathi |
वसीयत करणे |
/vasīyat karaṇe/ |
Gujarati |
વસિયત કરવી |
/vasyat karvī/ |
Malayalam |
വസിയറ്റ് ചെയ്യുക |
/vasyat ceyyuka/ |
Kannada |
ವಸಿಯತ ಮಾಡುವುದು |
/vasyata māḍuvudu/ |
Tamil |
வசீயத் செய்யுதல் |
/vasīyat seyyutal/ |
Odia |
ଉପଦେଶ କରିବା |
/upadēśa karibā/ |
Assamese |
ৱাছিৱাচিত কৰ্া |
/wācīwācita kora/ |
Maithili |
वसीयत करब |
/vasīyat karab/ |
Haryanvi |
वसीयत करना |
/vasīyat karna/ |
Dogri |
वसीयत करना |
/vasīyat karna/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- North American English: /bɪˈkwiːð/
- British English: /bɪˈkwiːð/
- Australian English: /bɪˈkwiːð/
Historical Usage
The term "bequeath" has been used since the 14th century, primarily in legal contexts. It is a formal verb commonly found in wills and testaments, referring to the act of leaving property, wealth, or assets to heirs or other designated beneficiaries after death.
Cultural Nuances
In many cultures, bequeathing property or wealth is a significant event, often symbolizing a person's final wishes. The concept of inheritance and bequeathing is deeply tied to social structures, wealth distribution, and family dynamics. In some societies, large estates and heirlooms carry deep cultural and emotional significance, and the act of bequeathing them is treated with great reverence.
More Information
The verb "bequeath" is most commonly used in the context of legal documents such as wills or testaments, where it refers to the transfer of assets upon one's death. It can also be used more figuratively to describe the passing on of traditions, knowledge, or other intangible legacies. The word emphasizes the intentionality behind the transfer and often carries with it a sense of responsibility or duty to preserve the legacy being passed on.