nuncupative
Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
- adjective Delivered orally to witnesses rather than written
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
- adjective Oral; not written.
- adjective Publicly or solemnly declaratory.
- adjective Nominal; existing only in name.
Examples
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Well, now, this terrible affair may take place before I can make my arrangements; so I will, with your permission, make a nuncupative will -- I believe _nuncupative_ is the word, but I am not sure.
The Youth of Jefferson A Chronicle of College Scrapes at Williamsburg, in Virginia, A.D. 1764
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It is true that under certain exceptional circumstances a man may make what is known as a nuncupative will.
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I have no joke here; I just like saying "nuncupative testament."
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The will of the Minstrel of Paradise is a nuncupative one taken by his daughter, the great poet being blind.
The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction Volume 17, No. 494, June 18, 1831
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A nuncupative will may be made orally disposing of an estate less than $1000 in value, when the testator is in actual military service in the field, or doing duty on shipboard and in peril or fear of death, or when he is expecting death from injury received the same day.
Note
The word 'nuncupative' comes from a Latin word meaning 'to name'.
