noun
Etymology: translation of Medieval Latin testamentum nuncupativum
1. Roman law : a will consisting originally in the simple oral declaration of the testator's testamentary dispositions in the presence of seven witnesses and later in such a declaration made before a magistrate
2.
a. : a will primarily evidenced by the testator's oral declaration to a witness of his testamentary dispositions as distinguished from one primarily evidenced by a written disposition
b. English law : an oral will made by a person in extremis