bequest Synonyms & Antonyms
Choose a meaning, then find a word that fits your sentence.
Bequest as a Noun
The act of bequeathing or leaving by will.
The transfer of property upon the owner's death according to the will of the deceased.
That which is left by will; a legacy.
That which has been handed down or transmitted.
A person's inheritance; an amount of property given by will.
Bequest as a Verb
To give as a bequest; bequeath.
Word Forms & Grammar
bequest (plural bequests)
bequest (third-person singular simple present bequests, present participle bequesting, simple past and past participle bequested)
Words That Rhyme With Bequest
Origin of Bequest
Origin 1: From Middle English biqueste, bequeste (“will, testament, bequest”), from be- + quiste, queste (“saying, utterance, testament, will, legacy”), from Old English *cwist, *cwiss (“saying”) (compare Old English andcwiss, ġecwis, uncwisse, etc.), from Proto-Germanic *kwissiz (“saying”), from Proto-Indo-European *gʷet- (“to say”). Related to Old English andcwiss (“answer, reply”), Old English uncwisse (“dumb, mute”), Middle English bequethen (“to bequeath”). Not related to quest, which is from Latin. More at quoth, bequeath.
Origin 2: From Middle English biquesten, from the noun (see above).
Bequest in Brief
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /bɪˈkwɛst/ |
| Meaning | The act of bequeathing or leaving by will |
| Plural | bequests |
| Verb forms | bequests, bequesting, bequested |
Common Questions About Bequest
Is bequest a noun or a verb?
Bequest is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is the plural of bequest?
The plural of bequest is bequests.
What is the past tense of bequest?
The past tense of bequest is bequested. The present participle is bequesting.