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nuncupative

nuncupative

1 9.9
Spoken aloud instead of written, often about a will
  • adjective
  • /nʌnˈkjuːpətɪv/
  • Formal
: nuncupativo
  • He made a nuncupative will before his death.

Examples

  • In some jurisdictions, a nuncupative will must be witnessed by several people.

  • The court recognized the nuncupative declaration as valid.

  • A nuncupative will is only valid under certain circumstances.

  • The court accepted the nuncupative statement as evidence of his last wishes.

  • The lawyer explained that the man's last wishes were expressed in a nuncupative will, which meant they were spoken aloud rather than written down.

  • In some jurisdictions, a nuncupative will can be valid if declared in front of witnesses.

  • She knew that her grandfather's decision to leave everything to her was nuncupative, so she gathered friends to confirm his wishes.

Synonyms

viva-voce
vsnuncupative
  • Formal
1 8.9

Spoken rather than written

is used specifically for orally declared last wishes in legal contexts
parol
vsnuncupative
  • Formal
1 9.9

Said out loud rather than written, often in court

is limited to last wishes declared orally rather than general legal speech

Surface Forms

nuncupative positive

Etymology

Nuncupative comes from the Latin verb nuncupare, which means 'to name' or 'to declare by speaking'. It is used for things said out loud rather than written, especially a will given by spoken words, so a nuncupative will is an oral will, not a paper one.