ˈtestəmənt noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin testamentum covenant, Scripture (translation of Greek diathēkē covenant), from Latin, last will, from testari to be a witness, make a will (from testis witness) + -mentum -ment; Latin testis akin to Oscan trstus witnesses; both from a prehistoric Italic compound whose first and second constituents respectively are akin to Latin tres three and to Latin stare to stand; from the witness standing by as a third party in a litigation — more at three , stand
1.
a. : the written record of a compact : covenant , scripture
ancient ikons and testaments — A.R.Williams
b. usually capitalized : either of two main divisions of the Bible
discusses the measure of unity between the Testaments — British Book News
2.
a. : a tangible proof or tribute : evidence , witness
this capital teems with testaments to the tragic miscalculations … of United States policy — John Osborne
a testament to the skilled men who have penetrated the ocean of air — J.A.Michener
b. : an expression of conviction : affirmation , credo
the testament of a man in a high state of indignation — E.B.White
works … published as a political testament — S.E.Morison
3. : an instrument in writing by which a person declares his intent as to the disposal of his estate and effects after his death : will