Testament

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈtÉ›st.É™.mÉ™nt/

Origin

From Middle English, from Old French, from Latin testamentum ("the publication of a will, a will, testament, in Late Latin one of the divisions of the Bible"), from testari ("to be a witness, testify, attest, make a will"), from testis ("one who attests, a witness").

Full definition of testament

Noun

1. (legal) A solemn, authentic instrument in writing, by which a person declares his or her will as to disposal of his or her inheritance (estate and effects) after his or her death, benefiting specified heir(s).
2. One of the two parts to the scriptures of the Christian religion: the New Testament, considered by Christians to be a continuation of the Hebrew scriptures, and the Hebrew scriptures themselves, which they refer to as the Old Testament.
3. A tangible proof or tribute.
4. A credo, expression of conviction''The prime minister's speech was a glowing testament to the cabinet's undying commitment to the royal cause

Synonyms

• (law) will, last will and testament, last will

Derived terms

• testamentary
• Old Testament
• New Testament
• Final Testament
• holographic testament

Related terms

• intestate
• testate
• testator
• testify
• testimonial
• testimony

Anagrams

• statement