Bequeathed Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/bɪˈkwiːθɪd/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Verb

Definition

To give or leave something, especially money or property, to someone, or to the people, after one’s death.

Examples

• The wealthy professor bequeathed his fortune to the university.
• The renowned artist bequeathed his collection of paintings to the museum.

Synonyms

• Inherit
• Leave

Antonyms

• Forfeit
• Spend

Additional Information

The word “bequeathed” originated from the Old French word “bequeuter”, meaning “to bequeath or leave”. It is often used in literary and formal contexts to describe the act of leaving something to someone or something after death. Bequeathed items can take various forms, including property, money, art, and personal belongings.

The concept of bequeathing dates back to ancient times, when people would leave their property or possessions to their heirs or descendants. However, the modern usage of the word “bequeathed” is more formal and literary, and is often used in historical or biographical contexts.

Etymology

The word “bequeathed” originated from the Old French word “bequeuter”, meaning “to bequeath or leave”. This word is derived from the Latin word “bequeare”, which means “to give or leave”. The Latin word is thought to be related to the Proto-Indo-European root “bhe-“, which means “to give or take”.

Usage Notes

The word “bequeathed” is often used in formal and literary contexts, such as in biographies, historical accounts, and legal documents. It is typically used in the past tense, and is often used in combination with other words, such as “will” or “inherit”.

Cultural References

The word “bequeathed” has been used in various cultural references, including literature, film, and television. For example, in the novel “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the character Jay Gatsby is described as having bequeathed his fortune to his niece.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

A bequest is a formal gift or inheritance, and the phrase “distribute the bequest” means to give out the inheritance according to the will.

Related Words or Phrases

• Will
• Inherit
• Leave
• Legacy

Collocations

• A bequeathed fortune
• A bequeathed estate
• A bequeathed collection

Frequency of Use

The word “bequeathed” is not commonly used in everyday language, but it is more frequently used in formal and literary contexts.

Common Misspellings

• Bequethed
• Begueathed
• Baquithed