intestate (ɪnˈtɛsteɪt
;-tɪt)
Definitions
adjective
- (of a person) not having made a will
- (of property) not disposed of by will
noun
- a person who dies without having made a will
Compare
testateAlternative Forms
inˈtestacy nounWord Origin
C14: from Latin intestātus, from in-C14: from Latin from 1 + from to bear witness, make a will, from a witness + testātus, from testārī to bear witness, make a will, from testis a witnessUsage examples
The large sum of money that came to him when she died intestate was a shock, and he had not spent a penny of it on himself.
, Out of the Ashes (1989)Dying intestate can also leave the way open for a costly challenge.
The Australian (2004)The spokesman said that it would be possible for pensioners who died intestate to be overlooked by the system.
Times, Sunday Times (2005)An unusual source of money comes from the estates of people in Lancashire who die intestate and where no legal ownership can be established.
, AT HOME WITH THE QUEEN: The Inside Story of the Royal Household (2002)