Also 3–4 biqueste, 4 byquyste, 5 bicquest, byqueste, 6 bequeste, 5– bequest. [ME. biquyste, biqueste, prob. for an earlier *bícwis, bí-cwiss(e, f. bí-, accented form of bi-, BE- + cwis, cwiss(e ‘saying’:—OTeut. *qissi-z:—*qiþ-ti-z, f. qiþan to say (cf. Sievers, Ags. Gram., § 232). Bequest thus represents a type *bi·qissi-z answering to the vb. *biqiþ·an, BEQUEATH. The later change is parallel to that of BEHEST (q.v.), and the accentuation is assimilated to that of the verb.]
1. The act of bequeathing; transference or bestowal by will, or by a similar procedure.
c. 1300. R. Brunne, Chron., 86. Of ȝour fader biqueste dome þan salle ȝe se.
1393. Langl., P. Pl., C. IX. 94. For-thi ich wolle, er ich wende · do wryten my by-quyste.
c. 1600. Shaks., Sonn., iv. Natures bequest gives nothing, but doth lend.
1848. Mill, Pol. Econ., I. 259. Bequest in a primitive state of society, was seldom recognized.
1876. Freeman, Norm. Conq., V. xxiv. 388. When he made his bequest, if bequest we are to call it, in favour of Rufus.
2. concr. That which is bequeathed; a legacy.
1496. in Blades, Caxton, 162. Itm in bokes called legendes, of the bequest of William Caxton, xiijd.
1553. T. Wilson, Rhet., 246. Al bequestes and goodes of suche his frendes as dyed intestate.
1618. Bolton, Florus, II. xx. 156. The estate of kings, and the riches of whole Realmes comming to them as bequests, and Legacies.
1790. Burke, Fr. Rev., Wks. V. 437. Let us imitate their caution, if we wish to deserve fortune, or to retain their bequests.
