Where does “bequest” come from?

Bequest comes from Middle English bequeste, formed with the prefix bi- from Old English be-, ultimately derived from Proto-Indo-European bʰew- meaning "to grow" or "become."

bequest (English): The act of bequeathing or leaving by will; The...

Definitions

  1. The act of bequeathing or leaving by will; The...

Ancestry of “bequest”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle EnglishbiquesteBequest, inheritance; One's will and testament
2Middle EnglishbeAlternative form of been; Alternative form of...
3Old EnglishbēoI become, I will be, I am; bee
4Proto-West Germanic*bijābee
5Proto-Germanicbijōbee
6Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰī-to hit, to pierce
Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰī- →Every word from Proto-Germanic bijō →Every word from Proto-West Germanic *bijā →