Main Entry: tes·ta·ment

Pronunciation: \ˈtes-tə-mənt\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin testamentum covenant with God, holy scripture, from Latin, last will, from testari to be a witness, call to witness, make a will, from testis witness; akin to Latin tres three & to Latin stare to stand; from the witness's standing by as a third party in a litigation — more at three, stand

Date: 14th century

1 a archaic : a covenant between God and the human race b capitalized : either of two main divisions of the Bible
2 a : a tangible proof or tribute b : an expression of conviction : creed
3 a : an act by which a person determines the disposition of his or her property after death b : will

— tes·ta·men·ta·ry \ˌtes-tə-ˈmen-tə-rē, -ˈmen-trē\ adjective