Pronunciation: [wɜː bɪkwˈiːðd] (IPA) 
The phrase "were bequeathed" is often used to refer to something that was left to someone in a will or as a gift. The word "bequeathed" is spelled /bɪˈkwiːð/, with the "ea" combination pronounced as a long "e" sound. The word "were" is spelled /wɜːr/, with a silent "e" at the end. The two words together create a past tense passive voice construction, indicating that something was given as a gift or inheritance in the past.
"Were bequeathed" refers to the action of leaving something, typically property, money, or possessions, as a bequest or a gift in a will or testament. The phrase is formed by combining the past tense of the verb "to be" (were) with the verb "bequeathed."
When an individual writes a will, they may choose to distribute their assets among family members, friends, or charitable organizations. If a person includes a specific provision in their will indicating that particular items or sums of money should be given to certain individuals after their death, those items or sums are said to have been "bequeathed." The term "were bequeathed" indicates that the act of assigning those assets has already taken place in the past.
The use of "were" implies that the bequest and distribution happened at a previous time or event. Generally, the phrase is employed when discussing an inheritance or the transfer of property or financial wealth to one or more beneficiaries.
For example, "The deceased's estate was divided among his children, as per his will. The family home and a substantial amount of money were bequeathed to his eldest son, while the remaining assets were bequeathed to his two daughters equally."
The word "were bequeathed" is not a single word with its own etymology. It is a combination of two words: "were" and "bequeathed", each with their own individual etymologies.
1. "Were":
"Were" is the past tense of the verb "to be" and is derived from the Old English word "wǣron". It comes from the Germanic language family and can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root "*es-", meaning "to be".
2. "Bequeathed":
"Bequeathed" is the past participle form of the verb "bequeath", which means to leave or give something through a will or testament. The word "bequeath" is derived from Middle English "bequethen" and Old English "becweðan".
