bequeath

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to leave or give by will after one's death

   My grandparents bequeathed me their art collection.

2. 2
   verb

   To hand down; to transmit.

   Ownership of manufacturing workshops is not essential to that job; but BR happen to have been bequeathed a considerable number with a proud history.

3. 3
   verb

   To give; to offer; to commit.

   These young gay men and lesbians were more militant and began to reject advice from the homophile movement to try to "fit into" society, not to make waves, and to rely on professionals and establishment figures to bequeath them social rights.

4. 4
   verb

   To give or leave by will; to give by testament.

Etymology

From Middle English biquethen, from Old English becweþan (“to say, to speak, to address, exhort, admonish, blame, bequeath, leave by will”), equivalent to be- + quethe. Cognate with Old Frisian biquetha.