testator

[ tes-tey-ter, te-stey-ter ]

noun

, Law.

1. a person who makes a will.
2. a person who has died leaving a valid will.

testator

/ tɛˈsteɪtrɪks; tɛˈsteɪtə /

noun

1. a person who makes a will, esp one who dies testate

Word History and Origins

Origin of testator¹

1275–1325; < Latin testātor; testate, -tor; replacing Middle English testatour < Anglo-French

Word History and Origins

Origin of testator¹

C15: from Anglo-French testatour, from Late Latin testātor, from Latin testārī to make a will; see testament

Example Sentences

The willingness of some courts to set aside wills of gay testators sometimes led partners to settle for a fraction of their inheritance.

From Salon

The wording of a will can also be problematic as words and terms have specific meanings in law, which may be different to their use by the testator in their will.

From BBC

The judge said the testator had signed using a light blue ink pen, while the witnesses used dark blue ink.

From BBC

Other convents are mentioned once only and in some cases a testator leaves legacies to nuns by name, without mentioning where they are professed.

From Project Gutenberg

In some places the notary drawing a will in the absence of the priest was excommunicated and the body of the testator was refused Christian burial.

From Project Gutenberg