nuncupative will

noun

, Law.

1. a will made by the oral and unwritten declaration of the testator, valid only in special circumstances.

Word History and Origins

Origin of nuncupative will¹

First recorded in 1540–50

Example Sentences

He left me a small legacy in a nuncupative will, as a token of his kindness for me, and he left me once more to the wide world; for the store was taken into the care of his executors, and my employment under him ended.

From Project Gutenberg

He left me a small legacy in a nuncupative will, as a token of his kindness to me, and he left me once more to the wide world, for the store was taken into the care of his executors, and my employment under him ended.

From Project Gutenberg

All that he could draw from the nuncupative will of this George Puttenham is, that he “left all his goods, movable and immovable, moneys, and bonds,” to Mary Symes, a favourite female servant; but he infers that “he probably was our author.”

From Project Gutenberg

All this taken for granted, the last editor, probably in the course of his professional pursuits, falls on a nuncupative will, dated 1590, of a George Puttenham; already persuaded that such a name appertained to the author of the “Art of English Poetry,” he ventured to corroborate what yet remained to be ascertained.

From Project Gutenberg

He left me a small Legacy in a nuncupative Will, as a Token of his Kindness for me, and he left me once more to the wide World.

From Project Gutenberg