testament

To make a will.

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).
Synonyms: will last will and testament last will
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.
A tangible proof or tribute.
- 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. - 1976 August 28, Steven Blevins, “Ads and Beauty Contests”, in Gay Community News,...
Synonyms: testimony
A credo, expression of conviction.
- The prime minister's speech was a glowing testament to the cabinet's undying commitment to the royal cause.

Origin

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”).