\Be*queath"\ (b[-e]*kw[=e][th]"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Bequeathed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Bequeathing}.] [OE. biquethen,
AS. becwe[eth]an to say, affirm, bequeath; pref. be- +
cwe[eth]an 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}.
Usage: 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.