intestate

[ in-tes-teyt, -tit ]
/ ɪnˈtɛs teɪt, -tɪt /

adjective

(of a person) not having made a will: to die intestate.
(of things) not disposed of by will: Her property remains intestate.

noun

a person who dies intestate.

Origin of intestate

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin intestātus, equivalent to in- in-3 + testātus testate

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH intestate

interstate intestate intrastate

Example sentences from the Web for intestate

British Dictionary definitions for intestate

intestate
/ (ɪnˈtɛsteɪt, -tɪt) /

adjective

  1. (of a person) not having made a will
  2. (of property) not disposed of by will

noun

a person who dies without having made a will
Compare testate

Derived forms of intestate

intestacy, noun

Word Origin for intestate

C14: from Latin intestātus, from in- 1 + testātus, from testārī to bear witness, make a will, from testis a witness