nuncupative

American  

[nuhng-kyuh-pey-tiv, nuhng-kyoo-puh-tiv] / ˈnʌŋ kyəˌpeɪ tɪv, nʌŋˈkyu pə tɪv /

adjective

1. (especially of a will) oral; not written.

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nuncupative British  

/ nʌŋˈkjuːpətɪv, ˈnʌŋkjʊˌpeɪtɪv /

adjective

1. (of a will) declared orally by the testator and later written down

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Etymology

Origin of nuncupative

First recorded in 1400–50; from Medieval Latin (testāmentum) nuncupātīvum “oral (will),” neuter of Late Latin nuncupātīvus “so-called, nominal,” equivalent to Latin nuncupāt(us), past participle of nuncupāre “to state formally, utter the name of” (probably from unattested nōmicupāre, derivative of nōmiceps “one taking a name,” equivalent to nōmi- combining form of nōmen “name” + -ceps “taker, catcher”); see prince ( def. )) + -īvus -ive ( def. )

Example Sentences

Therefore Christ, unless He derived His humanity from the essence of God, must as man, and in respect of that humanity, be Son of God only in a nuncupative sense.

From Christianity and Islam in Spain (756-1031) by Haines, Charles Reginald

He nevertheless left, exclusive of household goods, about £900, which, by a nuncupative will made in July, 1674, he had wholly bequeathed to his wife.

From Life of John Milton by Garnett, Richard

By a nuncupative will, he left a house in London to his wife, a house in Acton and a meadow to his daughter Elizabeth, and his study of books to his son-in-law Thomas Nash.

From Shakespeare's Family by Stopes, C. C. (Charlotte Carmichael)

He left me a small Legacy in a nuncupative Will, as a Token of his Kindness for me, and he left me once more to the wide World.

From Benjamin Franklin Representative selections, with introduction, bibliograpy, and notes by Jorgenson, Chester E.

"It is true that under certain exceptional circumstances a man may make what is known as a nuncupative will."

From By Advice of Counsel by Train, Arthur Cheney