verb
bequeath
bih-KWEETH
verb
1
To leave property or money to someone through a will.
"She bequeathed her entire art collection to the city museum."
"His grandfather bequeathed him the old family farm."
2
To pass something down, such as a tradition, idea, or quality.
"The composer bequeathed a rich musical legacy to future generations."
How to Use Bequeath
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo formally leave something to someone after death, usually through a will — or, more loosely, to pass something on.
Common mistake
Bequeath is the verb ("she bequeathed her jewelry"); bequest is the noun ("the jewelry was her bequest").
Easily confused with
Word Forms
bequeathed past tense, bequoth past tense, bequethen past tense, bequothen past tense, bequeaths singular
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She _____ her entire art collection to the city museum.
Etymology
From Old English becweþan, "to declare, to leave by will," built from be- plus cweþan ("to say").