Word Study
bequest
CIDE DICTIONARY
bequest, n. [OE. biquest, corrupted fr. bequide; pref. be- + AS. cwide a saying, becwe to bequeath. The ending -est is probably due to confusion with quest. See Bequeath, Quest.].
- The act of bequeathing or leaving by will; as, a bequest of property by A. to B. [1913 Webster]
- That which is left by will, esp. personal property; a legacy; also, a gift. [1913 Webster]
bequest, v. t.
To bequeath, or leave as a legacy. Gascoigne. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
bequest, n.
1 the act or an instance of bequeathing.
2 a thing bequeathed.
1 the act or an instance of bequeathing.
2 a thing bequeathed.
Etymology
ME f. BE- + obs. quiste f. OE -cwiss, cwide saying
THESAURUS
bequest
attested copy, bequeathal, birthright, borough-English, codicil, coheirship, coparcenary, devise, entail, gavelkind, heirloom, heirship, hereditament, heritable, heritage, heritance, incorporeal hereditament, inheritance, law of succession, legacy, line of succession, mode of succession, patrimony, postremogeniture, primogeniture, probate, reversion, succession, testament, ultimogeniture, willROGET THESAURUS
bequest
Giving
N giving, bestowal, bestowment, donation, presentation, presentment, accordance, concession, delivery, consignment, dispensation, communication, endowment, investment, investiture, award, almsgiving, charity, liberality, generosity, gift, donation, present, cadeau, fairing, free gift, boon, favor, benefaction, grant, offering, oblation, sacrifice, immolation, lagniappe, pilon, grace, act of grace, bonus, allowance, contribution, subscription, subsidy, tribute, subvention, bequest, legacy, devise, will, dotation, dot, appanage, voluntary settlement, voluntary conveyance, amortization, alms, largess, bounty, dole, sportule, donative, help, oblation, offertory, honorarium, gratuity, Peter pence, sportula, Christmas box, Easter offering, vail, douceur, drink money, pourboire, trinkgeld, bakshish, fee, consideration, bribe, bait, ground bait, peace offering, handsel, boodle, graft, grease, blat, giver, grantor, donor, feoffer, settlor, giving, given, allowed, allowable, concessional, communicable, charitable, eleemosynary, sportulary, tributary, gratis, donative, auctor pretiosa facit, ex dono, res est ingeniosa dare.For further exploring for "bequest" in Webster Dictionary Online
