To whom, with all submission, on my knee
I do bequeath my faithful services
And true subjection everlastingly.
Shak.
Syn. -- To Bequeath, Devise. Both these words denote the giving or disposing of property by will. Devise, in legal usage, is property used to denote a gift by will of real property, and he to whom it is given is called the devisee. Bequeath is properly applied to a gift by will or legacy; i. e., of personal property; the gift is called a legacy, and he who receives it is called a legatee. In popular usage the word bequeath is sometimes enlarged so as to embrace devise; and it is sometimes so construed by courts.
Be*queath"a*ble (&?;), a. Capable of being bequeathed.
Be*queath"al (&?;), n. The act of bequeathing; bequeathment; bequest. Fuller.
Be*queath"ment (&?;), n. The act of bequeathing, or the state of being bequeathed; a bequest.
Be*quest" (&?;), n. [OE. biquest, corrupted fr. bequide; pref. be- + AS. cwide a saying, becweðan to bequeath. The ending -est is probably due to confusion with quest. See Bequeath, Quest.] 1. The act of bequeathing or leaving by will; as, a bequest of property by A. to B.