Bequeath
/bɪˈkwiːθ/noun
To leave property or a gift to someone by will.
Did you know?Bequeath comes from an Old English verb meaning “to say” or “to declare,” showing how a spoken act could become a binding transfer of power and property.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gʷeh₃-
“to say, speak”
Old English
OE
cwēþan
“to say, speak, declare”
Old English
OE
becwēþan
“to say, commit by will; bequeath”
Middle English
ME
bequethen
“to leave by will, assign”
Modern English
English
bequeath
“to leave property or a gift by will”