Be*queath" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bequeathed (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Bequeathing.] [OE. biquethen, AS. becwean to say, affirm, bequeath; pref. be- + cwean to say, speak. See Quoth.]
1.
To give or leave by will; to give by testament; -- said especially of personal property.
My heritage, which my dead father did bequeath to me.
Shak.
2.
To hand down; to transmit.
To bequeath posterity somewhat to remember it.
Glanvill.
3.
To give; to offer; to commit.
[Obs.]
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.
© Webster 1913.