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

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

But more than any of the particulars, it was the entirety of the codicil and its presentation as a fait accompli that alarmed Fred Trump, the depositions show.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 2, 2018

The document, known as a codicil, First page of codicil to Fred Trump’s will Read document did many things.

From New York Times ● Oct. 2, 2018

Rupert died; Joe died; and then the codicil was drawn up, willing it to you.

From Trevlyn Hold by Mrs. Henry Wood

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