verb (used with object)
Origin of bequeath
Examples from the Web for bequeath
And did they bequeath to the military the task of rescuing the democratic impulse stifled by a pharaoh with an Islamist face?
Which will, in turn, mean they retire with less wealth, and bequeath less wealth to their children.
I bequeath myself to the dirt to grow from the grass I love, If you want me again look for me under your bootsoles.
The little property from which his income was derived was not within his power to bequeath.Fenton's Quest|M. E. Braddon
In most abbeys it was customary for the brethren to give or bequeath their books to their house.Old English Libraries|Ernest Savage
But he did not wish to close up the future; he was glad, on the contrary, to bequeath his hypotheses to the younger generation.Doctor Pascal|Emile Zola
If I have left the epaulettes of my ancestors reposing in their domestic shrine, I can bequeath to my children other decorations.The Cross of Berny|Emile de Girardin
We have no right to bequeath chains and manacles to our heirs.The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 12 (of 12)|Robert G. Ingersoll
Word Origin for bequeath
Old English becweðan "to say, speak to, exhort, blame," also "leave by will;" from be- + cweðan "to say," from Proto-Germanic *kwithan, from PIE *gwet- "to say, speak."
Original sense of "say, utter" died out 13c., leaving legal sense of "transfer by will." Closely related to bequest. "An old word kept alive in wills" [OED 1st ed.]. Old English bequeðere meant "interpreter, translator." Related: Bequeathed; bequeathing.