| 释义 |
▪ I. bequest|bɪˈkwɛst|
Also 3–4 biqueste, 4 byquyste, 5 bicquest, byqueste, 6 bequeste, 5– bequest.
[ME. biquyste, biqueste, prob. for an earlier *bícwis, bí-cwiss(e, f. bí-, accented form of bi-, be- + cwis, cwiss(e ‘saying’:—OTeut. *qissi-z:—*qiþ-ti-z, f. qiþan to say (cf. Sievers Ags. Gram. §232). Bequest thus represents a type *ˈbiqissi-z answering to the vb. *biˈqiþan, bequeath. The later change is parallel to that of behest (q.v.), and the accentuation is assimilated to that of the verb.]
1. The act of bequeathing; transference or bestowal by will, or by a similar procedure.
c1300R. Brunne Chron. 86 Of ȝour fader biqueste dome þan salle ȝe se. 1393Langl. P. Pl. C. ix. 94 For-thi ich wolle, er ich wende · do wryten my by-quyste. c1600Shakes. Sonn. iv, Natures bequest gives nothing, but doth lend. 1848Mill Pol. Econ. I. 259 Bequest in a primitive state of society, was seldom recognized. 1876Freeman Norm. Conq. V. xxiv. 388 When he made his bequest, if bequest we are to call it, in favour of Rufus.
2. concr. That which is bequeathed; a legacy.
1496in Blades Caxton 162 Itm in bokes called legendes, of the bequest of William Caxton, xiijd. 1553T. Wilson Rhet. 246 Al bequestes and goodes of suche his frendes as dyed intestate. 1618Bolton Florus ii. xx. 156 The estate of kings, and the riches of whole Realmes comming to them as bequests, and Legacies. 1790Burke Fr. Rev. Wks. V. 437 Let us imitate their caution, if we wish to deserve fortune, or to retain their bequests.
▪ II. † beˈquest, v. Obs.
Also 5 bi-, by-. pa. pple. bequested, bequest.
[f. prec. n.]
trans. To give as a bequest, to bequeath.
1394P. Pl. Crede 69 Her money may biquest, and testament maken. 1479Bury Wills (1850) 54 A cloos..byfor byquestyd to Thomas my sone. 1480Ibid. 55, I byqwest to the ffryerez of Clare xxs. 1526Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 299 b, Testament of peace..gyuen and bequest to thy disciples. 1795Haunted Castle II. 74 He broke open the papers of Du Pin..bequesting him all his estates. |