codicil

American  

[kod-uh-suhl] / ˈkɒd ə səl /

noun

1. a supplement to a will, containing an addition, explanation, modification, etc., of something in the will.

2. any supplement; appendix.

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codicil British  

/ ˈkɒdɪsɪl /

noun

1. law a supplement modifying a will or revoking some provision of it

2. an additional provision; appendix

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Other Word Forms

• codicillary
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of codicil

1375–1425; late Middle English < Late Latin cōdicillus (in Latin, commonly in plural only), equivalent to Latin cōdic- (stem of cōdex ) codex + -illus diminutive suffix

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Explanation

A codicil is a supplement to a will. If your will is already written and you want to alter it, you add a codicil. When your seemingly ancient neighbor marries a woman less than half his age, you might notice that his adult children suddenly stop coming to visit. This may be because he added a codicil to his will granting his new wife access to all his riches. Getting your inheritance in writing is a good idea, but a codicil can change everything.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

codicil

“We at ABS have a sample codicil that can easily be added to your will that could assist in your planning along with consulting your estate professional.”

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 11, 2024

When the Greek goddess Eos asked the gods to grant her mortal lover Tithonus eternal life, she neglected to add a necessary codicil to the celestial contract — that he have eternal youth as well.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 7, 2019

We can’t have some codicil or letter or joint declaration.

From The Guardian ● Jan. 29, 2019

When Judge Barry read the codicil, she reached the same conclusion.

From New York Times ● Oct. 2, 2018

I have a number of little valueless legacies to leave the world, and could put them into codicil form and direct their destination.

From Charles Lever, His Life in His Letters, Vol. II by Edmund Downey

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