Chapter Test to Testudinarious of T by Webster's Dictionary (1913 Edition)

Testament
(Tes"ta*ment) n. [F., fr. L. testamentum, fr. testari to be a witness, to make one's last will, akin to testis a witness. Cf. Intestate, Testify.]

1. (Law) A solemn, authentic instrument in writing, by which a person declares his will as to disposal of his estate and effects after his death.

This is otherwise called a will, and sometimes a last will and testament. A testament, to be valid, must be made by a person of sound mind; and it must be executed and published in due form of law. A man, in certain cases, may make a valid will by word of mouth only. See Nuncupative will, under Nuncupative.

2. One of the two distinct revelations of God's purposes toward man; a covenant; also, one of the two general divisions of the canonical books of the sacred Scriptures, in which the covenants are respectively revealed; as, the Old Testament; the New Testament; — often limited, in colloquial language, to the latter.

He is the mediator of the new testament . . . for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament.

Heb. ix. 15.

Holographic testament, a testament written wholly by the testator himself. Bouvier.

Testamental
(Tes`ta*men"tal) a. [L. testamentalis.] Of or pertaining to a testament; testamentary.

Thy testamental cup I take,
And thus remember thee.

J. Montgomery.

Testamentary
(Tes`ta*men"ta*ry) a. [L. testamentarius: cf. F. testamentaire.]

1. Of or pertaining to a will, or testament; as, letters testamentary.

2. Bequeathed by will; given by testament.

How many testamentary charities have been defeated by the negligence or fraud of executors!

Atterbury.

3. Done, appointed by, or founded on, a testament, or will; as, a testamentary guardian of a minor, who may be appointed by the will of a father to act in that capacity until the child becomes of age.

Testamentation
(Tes`ta*men*ta"tion) n. The act or power of giving by testament, or will. [R.] Burke.

Testamentize
(Tes"ta*men*tize) v. i. To make a will. [Obs.] Fuller.

Testamur
(||Tes*ta"mur) n. [L., we testify, fr. testari to testify.] (Eng. Universities) A certificate of merit or proficiency; — so called from the Latin words, Ita testamur, with which it commences.

Testate
(Tes"tate) a. [L. testatus, p. p. of testari. See Testament.] (Law) Having made and left a will; as, a person is said to die testate. Ayliffe.

Testate
(Tes"tate), n. (Law) One who leaves a valid will at death; a testate person. [R.]

Testation
(Tes*ta"tion) n. [L. testatio.] A witnessing or witness. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

Testator
(Tes*ta"tor) n. [L.: cf. F. testateur.] (Law) A man who makes and leaves a will, or testament, at death.

Testatrix
(Tes*ta"trix) n. [L.] (Law) A woman who makes and leaves a will at death; a female testator.

Teste
(Tes"te) n. [So called fr. L. teste, abl. of testis a witness, because this was formerly the initial word in the clause.] (Law) (a) A witness. (b) The witnessing or concluding clause, duty attached; — said of a writ, deed, or the like. Burrill.