testator

[tes-tey-ter, te-stey-ter]

noun

Law.

1. a person who makes a will.

2. a person who has died leaving a valid will.

testator

/ tɛˈsteɪtrɪks, tɛˈsteɪtə /

noun

1. a person who makes a will, esp one who dies testate

Word History and Origins

Origin of testator¹

1275–1325; < Latin testātor; testate, -tor; replacing Middle English testatour < Anglo-French

Word History and Origins

Origin of testator¹

C15: from Anglo-French testatour, from Late Latin testātor, from Latin testārī to make a will; see _testament

Example Sentences

The willingness of some courts to set aside wills of gay testators sometimes led partners to settle for a fraction of their inheritance.

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The wording of a will can also be problematic as words and terms have specific meanings in law, which may be different to their use by the testator in their will.

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The judge said the testator had signed using a light blue ink pen, while the witnesses used dark blue ink.

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Other convents are mentioned once only and in some cases a testator leaves legacies to nuns by name, without mentioning where they are professed.

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In some places the notary drawing a will in the absence of the priest was excommunicated and the body of the testator was refused Christian burial.

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