From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Bequeath \Be*queath"\ (b[-e]*kw[=e][th]"), verb (used with an object) [imp. & p. p. {Bequeathed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Bequeathing}.] [OE. biquethen, AS. becwe[eth]an to say, affirm, bequeath; pref. be- + cwe[eth]an to say, speak. See {Quoth}.]
1. To give or leave by will; to give by testament; -- said especially of personal property.
My heritage, which my dead father did bequeath to me. --Shak.
To bequeath posterity somewhat to remember it. --Glanvill.
3. To give; to offer; to commit. [Obs.]
To whom, with all submission, on my knee I do bequeath my faithful services And true subjection everlastingly. --Shak.
Usage: Both these words denote the giving or disposing of property by will. Devise, in legal usage, is property used to denote a gift by will of real property, and he to whom it is given is called the devisee. Bequeath is properly applied to a gift by will or legacy; i. e., of personal property; the gift is called a legacy, and he who receives it is called a legatee. In popular usage the word bequeath is sometimes enlarged so as to embrace devise; and it is sometimes so construed by courts.
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