nuncupative

American  

[nuhng-kyuh-pey-tiv, nuhng-kyoo-puh-tiv] / ˈnʌŋ kyəˌpeɪ tɪv, nʌŋˈkyu pə tɪv /

adjective

1. (especially of a will) oral; not written.

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nuncupative British  

/ nʌŋˈkjuːpətɪv, ˈnʌŋkjʊˌpeɪtɪv /

adjective

1. (of a will) declared orally by the testator and later written down

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Etymology

Origin of nuncupative

First recorded in 1400–50; from Medieval Latin (testāmentum) nuncupātīvum “oral (will),” neuter of Late Latin nuncupātīvus “so-called, nominal,” equivalent to Latin nuncupāt(us), past participle of nuncupāre “to state formally, utter the name of” (probably from unattested nōmicupāre, derivative of nōmiceps “one taking a name,” equivalent to nōmi- combining form of nōmen “name” + -ceps “taker, catcher”); prince ( def. ) ) + -īvus -ive ( def. )

Example Sentences

He nevertheless left, exclusive of household goods, about £900, which, by a nuncupative will made in July, 1674, he had wholly bequeathed to his wife.

From Life of John Milton by Garnett, Richard

There must be in the testator the animus testandi, which is sometimes presumed from circumstances in such cases and in such places as nuncupative wills are recognized.

From By Advice of Counsel by Train, Arthur Cheney

But a wish is one thing; a will, even a nuncupative will by public act, is another and an infinitely better and more effective thing.

From Strange True Stories of Louisiana by Cable, George Washington

By a nuncupative will, he left a house in London to his wife, a house in Acton and a meadow to his daughter Elizabeth, and his study of books to his son-in-law Thomas Nash.

From Shakespeare's Family by Stopes, C. C. (Charlotte Carmichael)

"It is true that under certain exceptional circumstances a man may make what is known as a nuncupative will."

From By Advice of Counsel by Train, Arthur Cheney