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testament

tes·ta·ment [ téstəmənt ] (plural tes·ta·ments)

noun

Definition:

1. proof: something that shows that something else exists or is true

His remarkable recovery is a testament to the doctor's skill.

2. formal statement of beliefs: a formal statement or speech outlining beliefs ( formal )

3. law ( archaic )
Same as will²n (sense 6)

last will and testament

4. judeo-christian covenant between God and humankind: in Judaism and Christianity, a covenant made between God and humankind ( formal )

[13th century. < Latin testamentum "legal will" < testis "witness"]

tes·ta·men·tal [ tèstə mént'l ] adjective

Word History


	The Latin word testis "witness," from which testament is derived, is also the source of English attest, contest, detest, intestate, protest, testicle, testify, and testimony.

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