codicil
Americannoun
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a supplement to a will, containing an addition, explanation, modification, etc., of something in the will.
-
any supplement; appendix.
noun
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law a supplement modifying a will or revoking some provision of it
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an additional provision; appendix
Other Word Forms
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
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.
Vocabulary lists containing codicil
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
The document, known as a codicil, did many things.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 2, 2018
When Judge Barry read the codicil, she reached the same conclusion.
From New York Times ● Oct. 2, 2018
"It is only the codicil, you see, which affects you," continued Mr. Flood, pointing to the deed before them.
From Trevlyn Hold by Wood, Mrs. Henry
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
