testament

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: tes=ta=ment

CIDE DICTIONARY

testament, n. [F., fr. L. testamentum, fr. testari to be a witness, to make one's last will, akin to testis a witness. Cf. Intestate, Testify.].

•  A solemn, authentic instrument in writing, by which a person declares his will as to disposal of his estate and effects after his death.  [1913 Webster]

  " This is otherwise called a will, and sometimes a last will and testament. A testament, to be valid, must be made by a person of sound mind; and it must be executed and published in due form of law. A man, in certain cases, may make a valid will by word of mouth only. See Nuncupative will, under Nuncupative."  [1913 Webster]
•  One of the two distinct revelations of God's purposes toward man; a covenant; also, one of the two general divisions of the canonical books of the sacred Scriptures, in which the covenants are respectively revealed; as, the Old Testament; the New Testament; -- often limited, in colloquial language, to the latter.  [1913 Webster]

  "He is the mediator of the new testament . . . for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament."  [1913 Webster]

Holographic testament, a testament written wholly by the testator himself. Bouvier.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

testament, n.
1 a will (esp. last will and testament).
2 (usu. foll. by to) evidence, proof (is testament to his loyalty).
3 Bibl. a a covenant or dispensation. b (Testament) a division of the Christian Bible (see Old Testament, New Testament). c (Testament) a copy of the New Testament.

Etymology

ME f. L testamentum will (as TESTATE): in early Christian L rendering Gk diatheke covenant

ROGET THESAURUS

testament

Security

N security, guaranty, guarantee, gage, warranty, bond, tie, pledge, plight, mortgage, collateral, debenture, hypothecation, bill of sale, lien, pawn, pignoration, real security, vadium, stake, deposit, earnest, handsel, caution, promissory note, bill, bill of exchange, I, O, U, personal security, covenant, specialty, parole, acceptance, indorsement, signature, execution, stamp, seal, sponsor, cosponsor, sponsion, sponsorship, surety, bail, mainpernor, hostage, godchild, godfather, godmother, recognizance, deed of indemnity, covenant of indemnity, authentication, verification, warrant, certificate, voucher, docket, doquet, record, probate, attested copy, receipt, acquittance, quittance, discharge, release, muniment, title deed, instrument, deed, deed poll, assurance, indenture, charter, charter poll, paper, parchment, settlement, will, testament, last will and testament, codicil, bonis avibus, gone where the woodbine twineth.