Testament: meaning, definitions and examples

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testament

 

[ หˆtษ›stษ™mษ™nt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

legal document

A testament is a legal document that states what a person wants to happen to their possessions after they die. It typically includes instructions for who will inherit their property and assets.

Synonyms

bequest, inheritance document, will.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
testament

Testament is often used in a formal or historical context to refer to a legal document that states a person's last wishes.

  • Shakespeare's last testament is kept in the National Archives
will

Will is the most commonly used term for the document that outlines how a personโ€™s property is to be distributed after death. It is widely recognized and used in both everyday and legal contexts.

  • He wrote his will to make sure his family would be taken care of
inheritance document

Inheritance document is a general term that can describe any document related to the transfer of assets after someone's death. It is often used in formal and legal discussions.

  • The lawyer reviewed the inheritance document to ensure everything was in order
bequest

Bequest refers specifically to a gift of personal property left to someone in a will. It is often used in legal and financial contexts.

  • She left a bequest of $10,000 to her favorite charity

Examples of usage

  • He left his entire estate to his children in his last testament.
  • The lawyer advised her to update her testament to ensure her wishes were carried out.
  • The testament was read aloud in front of the family after the funeral.
  • The testament specified that the family home should be sold and the proceeds divided equally.
  • In some cultures, a testament may also include personal messages or final thoughts from the deceased.
Context #2 | Noun

religious document

In a religious context, a testament refers to a sacred text or scripture that is considered authoritative or binding for believers. For example, the Old Testament and the New Testament are the two main divisions of the Christian Bible.

Synonyms

holy book, religious text, scripture.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
testament

Used to refer to the two main divisions of the Christian Bible: the Old Testament and the New Testament. It can also be used more generally to mean any significant or important document that provides evidence or proof.

  • The New Testament contains the teachings of Jesus Christ.
  • His will and testament were read to the family after his passing.
scripture

Often used to refer to sacred writings in Christianity, such as the Bible, but can also apply to holy writings in other religions. It typically implies a level of religious or moral authority.

  • Many people find comfort and guidance in reading the scriptures.
  • According to Christian scripture, love is the greatest virtue.
religious text

A more general term that refers to any written work considered sacred or central to the practices and beliefs of a religion. It can include scriptures, prayers, hymns, and other forms of religious literature.

  • Scholars study various religious texts to understand historical beliefs.
  • The Vedas are some of the oldest religious texts in Hinduism.
holy book

Used to describe the sacred writings of any religion. It's an inclusive term that applies to many religions such as the Bible in Christianity, the Qur'an in Islam, and the Torah in Judaism.

  • The Qur'an is the holy book of Islam.
  • Different religions have different holy books that guide their beliefs and practices.

Examples of usage

  • She found solace in reading the verses from the Old Testament.
  • The preacher quoted a passage from the New Testament during the sermon.
  • Studying the testament is an important part of religious education.
  • Many people turn to the testament for guidance and inspiration.
  • The testament provides a moral compass for believers to follow.

Translations

Translations of the word "testament" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น testamento

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคตเคธเฅ€เคฏเคคเคจเคพเคฎเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Testament

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ wasiat

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะทะฐะฟะพะฒั–ั‚

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ testament

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ้บ่จ€

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท testament

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ testamento

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท vasiyet

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์œ ์–ธ์žฅ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ูˆุตูŠุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ zรกvฤ›ลฅ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ testament

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ้—ๅ˜ฑ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ oporoka

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ erfรฐaskrรก

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ำฉัะธะตั‚

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ’แƒ•แƒ”แƒ แƒ“แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ vษ™siyyษ™t

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ testamento

Etymology

The word 'testament' has Latin origins, coming from the Latin word 'testamentum' meaning 'a will, testimony'. It has evolved over time to refer to both legal documents specifying inheritance and religious texts considered sacred. The use of 'testament' to describe a legal will dates back to the early 14th century, while its religious connotation can be traced to the Middle English period. Throughout history, the concept of a testament has been significant in both legal and religious contexts, shaping the way individuals pass on their possessions and beliefs.

See also: attest, detest, protest, retest, test, testable, tester, testifications, testify, testimony, testiness, tests, untested.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #12,818, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.