v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Bequeathed p. pr. & vb. n. Bequeathing. ] [ OE. biquethen, AS. becweðan to say, affirm, bequeath; pref. be- + cweðan to say, speak. See Quoth. ] 1. To give or leave by will; to give by testament; -- said especially of personal property. [ 1913 Webster ]

My heritage, which my dead father did bequeath to me. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To hand down; to transmit. [ 1913 Webster ]

To bequeath posterity somewhat to remember it. Glanvill. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To give; to offer; to commit. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

To whom, with all submission, on my knee
I do bequeath my faithful services
And true subjection everlastingly. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Capable of being bequeathed. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of bequeathing; bequeathment; bequest. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of bequeathing, or the state of being bequeathed; a bequest. [ 1913 Webster ]