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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Bequeath \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.
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My heritage, which my dead father did bequeath to
me. --Shak.
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2. To hand down; to transmit.
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To bequeath posterity somewhat to remember it.
--Glanvill.
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3. To give; to offer; to commit. [Obs.]
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To whom, with all submission, on my knee
I do bequeath my faithful services
And true subjection everlastingly. --Shak.
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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.
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