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testamentary

[tes-tuh-men-tuh-ree, -men-tree]
adjective
  1. of, relating to, or of the nature of a testament or will.
  2. given, bequeathed, done, or appointed by will.
  3. set forth or contained in a will.
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Sometimes tes·ta·men·tal [tes-tuh-men-tl] /ˌtɛs təˈmɛn tl/.

Origin of testamentary

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English word from Latin word testāmentārius. See testament, -ary
Related formsnon·tes·ta·men·ta·ry, adjectiveun·tes·ta·men·tal, adjectiveun·tes·ta·men·ta·ry, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for testamentary

Historical Examples of testamentary

  • The blessings of his purchase in the first ages were, even as in the last, testamentary.

    The Ordinance of Covenanting

    John Cunningham

  • I sat down this morning and put on paper my testamentary meaning.

  • I should not fail to remember this in making my testamentary arrangements.

    The Rock of the Lion

    Molly Elliot Seawell

  • Testamentary power can only be created by the words of a book, by an anathema.

    Domesday Book and Beyond

    Frederic William Maitland

  • Still, testamentary power did not come as soon as other rights.

British Dictionary definitions for testamentary

testamentary

adjective
  1. of or relating to a will or testament
  2. derived from, bequeathed, or appointed by a will
  3. contained or set forth in a will
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for testamentary

adj.

mid-15c., from Latin testamentarius, from testamentum (see testament).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper