testament
/ˈtɛs.tə.mənt/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.07 in modern English
11
Scrabble Score
9
Letters
3
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A solemn, authentic instrument in writing, by which a person declares his or her will as to disposal of his or her inheritance (estate and effects) after his or her death, benefiting specified heir(s).
noun
One of the two parts to the scriptures of the Christian religion: the New Testament, considered by Christians to be a continuation of the Hebrew scriptures, and the Hebrew scriptures themselves, which they refer to as the Old Testament.
noun
A credo, expression of conviction.
Example Sentences
- "The ancient aqueducts are a testament to the great engineering skill of the Roman Empire."
- "His remarkable recovery is a testament to the doctor's skill."
- "These ads are a sad testament to the paper's attitude toward gay men, and a disheartening indication of the direction GCN may be going."
- "The phrase was, and remains, a double-edged sword: a testament to the hard-working and hard-living citizens of the Crescent City and an indicator of the “ah, whatever” shrug hanging over its corrupt politics, its ramshackle infrastructure and its belief that partying trumps all."
- "The prime minister's speech was a glowing testament to the cabinet's undying commitment to the royal cause."
Etymology
From Middle English testament, from Old French testament, from Latin testāmentum (“the publication of a will, a will, testament, in Late Latin one of the divisions of the Bible”), from testor (“to be a witness, testify, attest, make a will”), from testis (“one who attests, a witness”). Displaced native Old English ġecȳþnes.
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: testament, testāmentum
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈtɛs.tə.mənt/
- British English: /ˈtɛs.tə.mənt/
Usage
Subject
Wiktionary places this term in Law.