testament

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a profession of belief

   I stated my political testament.

2. 2
   noun

   strong evidence for something

   The easy victory was a testament to my skill.

3. 3
   noun

   A tangible proof or tribute.

   The ancient aqueducts are a testament to the great engineering skill of the Roman Empire.

4. 4
   noun

   A credo, expression of conviction.

   The prime minister's speech was a glowing testament to the cabinet's undying commitment to the royal cause.

5. 5
   noun

   a legal document declaring a person's wishes regarding the disposal of their property when they die

6. 6
   noun

   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).

7. 7
   noun

   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.

8. 8
   verb

   To make a will.

Etymology

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