intestate

[ in-tes-teyt, -tit ]

adjective

1. (of a person) not having made a will:

   to die intestate.

2. (of things) not disposed of by will:

   Her property remains intestate.

noun

1. a person who dies intestate.

intestate

/ ɪnˈtɛsteɪt; -tɪt /

adjective

1. 1. (of a person) not having made a will
   2. (of property) not disposed of by will

noun

1. a person who dies without having made a will

Derived Forms

• inˈtestacy, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of intestate¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin intestātus, equivalent to in- in- ³ + testātus testate

Word History and Origins

Origin of intestate¹

C14: from Latin intestātus, from in- ¹+ testātus, from testārī to bear witness, make a will, from testis a witness

Example Sentences

If a man die intestate, having no natural heirs, his property shall pass to the nearest agnate.

From Project Gutenberg

When a father dies intestate, his property is equally divided among his children, without respect to sex or seniority.

From Project Gutenberg

He held that the children took the same shares as if their father died intestate.

From Project Gutenberg

You'll see he will die intestate, and everything will go to Harry.

From Project Gutenberg

Everything except in name was hers already—if Dick had died intestate.

From Project Gutenberg