释义 |
tes·ta·ment \ˈtestəmənt\ noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin testamentum covenant, Scripture (translation of Greek diathēkē covenant), from Latin, last will, from testari to be a witness, make a will (from testis witness) + -mentum -ment; Latin testis akin to Oscan trstus witnesses; both from a prehistoric Italic compound whose first and second constituents respectively are akin to Latin tres three and to Latin stare to stand; from the witness standing by as a third party in a litigation — more at three, stand 1. a. : the written record of a compact : covenant, scripture < ancient ikons and testaments — A.R.Williams > b. usually capitalized : either of two main divisions of the Bible < discusses the measure of unity between the Testaments — British Book News > 2. a. : a tangible proof or tribute : evidence, witness < this capital teems with testaments to the tragic miscalculations … of United States policy — John Osborne > < a testament to the skilled men who have penetrated the ocean of air — J.A.Michener > b. : an expression of conviction : affirmation, credo < the testament of a man in a high state of indignation — E.B.White > < works … published as a political testament — S.E.Morison > 3. : an instrument in writing by which a person declares his intent as to the disposal of his estate and effects after his death : will |