Testator is a noun that refers to a person who leaves a will.

Our word of the day is mostly used in legal contexts and is derived from the Latin word testari (Tess TAR ee) for ‘testify.’ Simply put, a testator is the person leaving their last will and testament.

The work of a lawyer can be heartbreaking at times. On one occasion, I had to explain to a testator that no matter how much she loved her teddy bear Alfred, she could not legally bequeath Alfred her home in her will.