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Legatee Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ’ฐ
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legatee

[หŒlษ›ษกษ™หˆtiห ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

legal term

A person who receives a legacy under a will or property by descent or gift.

Synonyms

beneficiary, heir, recipient.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
legatee

Typically used in legal documents or formal contexts, specifically referring to someone who is designated to receive a legacy (inheritance) as stated in a will.

  • The legatee was surprised to find out about the fortune left to him.
  • The lawyer explained the details of the will to the legatee.
heir

Often used in informal and formal settings to refer to someone who is legally entitled to inherit someoneโ€™s property or title upon their death. It can also imply a broader sense of any successor.

  • The king's only son was the heir to the throne.
  • After the passing of his grandmother, he became the heir to the family estate.
beneficiary

Used in both formal and informal contexts to describe someone who receives advantages, benefits, or profits, often in the context of insurance policies, trusts, or wills.

  • She was named as the sole beneficiary of the trust fund.
  • As the main beneficiary, he received a large sum of money from the insurance policy.
recipient

Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to refer to someone who receives something, such as a gift, prize, or award. This term is broader and not limited to legal or inheritance contexts.

  • The recipient of the scholarship was chosen based on academic excellence.
  • She was the recipient of many awards throughout her career.

Examples of usage

  • The legatee was thrilled to inherit the family estate.
  • She was named as the sole legatee in her grandfather's will.
  • The legatee received a valuable painting as part of the inheritance.
  • The legatee was entitled to a share of the profits from the business.
  • The legatee had to wait for the probate process to be completed before receiving the inheritance.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Legal Aspects

  • In many countries, a legatee is typically someone named in a will and has legal rights to the inheritance.
  • The role of a legatee differs from an executor, who is responsible for handling the estate of the deceased.

Cultural References

  • Literary works often depict legatees encountering surprises or twists when they receive unexpected inheritances.
  • In movies, legatees are commonly shown attending reading of the will, filled with anticipation or anxiety about their potential gains.

Psychology

  • Receiving an inheritance can evoke various emotional responses, such as relief, grief, or even guilt over the loss of the benefactor.
  • Studies indicate that the anticipation of inheritance and its psychological effects can impact family dynamics, sometimes leading to conflict.

Historical Context

  • During the Roman Empire, legacies often included not just property but also social status, with the wealthiest leaving considerable legacies to reinforce their lineage.
  • Throughout history, legacies have been pivotal in shaping families' fortunes, often leading to the establishment of dynasties.

Origin of 'legatee'

Main points about word origin

  • The term 'legatee' comes from the Latin word 'legatus,' which means 'one who is sent' or 'delegate,' referring to someone appointed to receive gifts.
  • The word began appearing in English legal texts around the 16th century as a way to describe beneficiaries of wills.

The term 'legatee' originated from the Latin word 'legatus', which means 'appointed, delegated or sent'. In Roman law, a legatee was a person who received a legacy or gift under a will. Over time, the term has been adopted into English legal terminology to refer to someone who inherits property or assets through a will or as a gift. The concept of legatees has been an integral part of inheritance law for centuries, ensuring that assets are distributed according to the wishes of the deceased.

See also: leg, legacy, legal, legation, legend, legible, legs.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,334, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.