bequeath

/bɪˈkwiːð/ (bre, ipa) · /bɪˈkwiːð/ (ame, ipa) · /bi-ˈkwēth -ˈkwēt͟h bē-/ (ame, mw)

bequeath — verb

  • bequeathpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • bequeathshe / she / it
  • bequeathedpast simple
  • bequeathing-ing form

1. to state in a legally valid will that a named person, group, or institution shou

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to state in a legally valid will that a named person, group, or institution should receive something you own — for example, money, a house, or jewellery — after you die.

例句

When Sofia's grandfather passed away, he bequeathed his entire estate to her and her two brothers.

bequeathed his entire estate to

The art collector bequeathed five valuable paintings to the National Museum of Taiwan.

bequeathed five valuable paintings to

同義詞
  • leave

    more general and common; does not imply a formal will or death

  • will (verb)

    narrowly legal, less common in everyday speech

  • hand down

    informal; can refer to giving something to a younger family member while still alive

反義詞
  • disinherit

    to deliberately exclude someone from one's will

文法句型

bequeath + object + to + recipient

bequeath + object

用法筆記

Frequently appears in passive voice: 'The estate was bequeathed to the museum.' The recipient is always introduced by the preposition 'to'.

常見錯誤

He bequeathed his car to me while he was still alive.
He left his car to me while he was still alive.
💡'bequeath' only applies to arrangements made for after death; use 'leave', 'give', or 'hand down' while the person is still living.

2. to leave valuable ideas, skills, traditions, or the results of your work for lat

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to leave valuable ideas, skills, traditions, or the results of your work for later generations to benefit from or continue after you are gone.

例句

The elderly musician bequeathed his knowledge of traditional folk songs to the younger players in the village.

bequeathed his knowledge of traditional folk songs to

Haruto's father bequeathed his woodworking skills to Haruto, who now runs the family workshop.

同義詞
  • pass on

    more informal; can happen at any time, not only after death

  • hand down

    common for traditions and skills across generations; may happen while the giver is still alive

  • transmit

    more neutral and technical; can apply to information, culture, or disease

文法句型

bequeath + object + to + recipient

用法筆記

The object is typically an abstract noun such as knowledge, skills, a tradition, a passion, or a legacy. Unlike sense 1, this sense does not involve a legal will and can describe gradual influence over a lifetime.

常見錯誤

The scientist bequeathed her research notes to the library archives.' (if she gave them before death)
The scientist donated her research notes to the library archives.
💡'bequeath' (sense 2) describes a figurative passing-on of ideas and influence, not physical donations made while alive.