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t. [A.S. becwethan, bicwethan to bequeath, to give by will; be, and cwethan = to say, speak, to call (bequests originally being made by word of mouth, scarcely any layman being able to write). In O.S. quethan; O. H. Ger, quethan, quedan; Goth. quithan; Icel. queda; Sw. qvada; Dan. quvæde to chant, to sing; identical with Eng. QUOTH (q.v.).] 1. Lit. To leave by will or testament. "And dying, mention it within their wills, Bequeathing it, as a rich legacy, Unto their i ue." Shakesp.: Julius Cæsar , fii. 2. 2. Fig .: To transmit by death, without the formality of a will, to one's children, to a succe or, a sympathising friend, or a political or religious party, or to posterity generally. IMG:content-1242.png:[blocks in formation] bě-quē'athed, * be-quethid, pa. par. [BEQUEATH.]