testament
testament — 名詞
1. Something that strongly indicates the reality or truth of a particular quality,
證明
事物為真的有力證據
Something that strongly indicates the reality or truth of a particular quality, fact, or situation.
The new community library is a testament to the generosity of local residents.
這座新的社區圖書館證明了當地居民的慷慨。
pattern: a testament to + noun phrase
That Iris still runs daily at seventy-five is a testament to her discipline.
Iris 在七十五歲高齡仍每天跑步，證明了她非凡的自律。
The charity's rapid growth stands as a testament to the public's support for the cause.
這間慈善機構的快速成長，證明了公眾對該理念的支持。
The old bridge's cracks are a testament to the council's neglect.
舊橋上的裂縫證明了鎮議會的疏於維護。
- evidence
more general; can be direct or indirect; does not require a causal link
- proof
stronger than testament; implies certainty rather than strong indication
- indication
less emphatic; a sign without the weight of confirmation
- tribute
adds a sense of honour or respect to what is shown
- contradiction
something that undermines or opposes the claim
文法句型
a testament to + noun phrase
stands as a testament to + noun phrase
be a testament to + noun phrase
用法筆記
Almost always used in the singular form, typically in the fixed phrase 'a testament to something'. The subject is usually an abstract result or concrete outcome, and the object is the cause or quality that produced it.
常見錯誤
2. A formal legal document in which a person states how their property, money, and
遺囑
死後財產分配的法律文件
A formal legal document in which a person states how their property, money, and possessions should be handled after they die.
In her last will and testament, Talia left her art collection to the city museum.
Talia 在遺囑中將她的藝術收藏留給了市立博物館。
phrasal pattern: last will and testament
The lawyer read Hari's testament aloud to the family gathered in the living room.
律師在客廳裡當著聚集的家人面前，大聲宣讀了 Hari 的遺囑。
A testament must be signed before two witnesses who are not beneficiaries.
遺囑必須在兩位非受益人的見證下簽署。
Feng's testament clearly stated that his estate should fund a scholarship for engineering students.
Feng 的遺囑明確指出，他的財產應用於資助工程學生的獎學金。
文法句型
last will and testament
make a testament
sign a testament
用法筆記
The fixed phrase 'last will and testament' is a legal doublet — both 'will' and 'testament' once referred to different types of documents, but today they are used together as a single formal expression. In everyday legal writing, 'will' alone is more common; 'testament' on its own sounds more formal or historical.
常見錯誤
3. A written or spoken statement that declares a person's deeply held beliefs, prin
信仰宣告
個人信念的公開聲明
A written or spoken statement that declares a person's deeply held beliefs, principles, or faith, especially one made publicly or formally.
The group's founding testament declares a commitment to protecting the natural environment.
該團體的創立宣言承諾致力於保護自然環境。
formal context: founding testament
Christopher wrote a personal testament of his faith before leaving on the mission.
Christopher 在出發執行任務前，寫下了一份個人信仰見證。
In her political testament, the activist outlined the principles she defended for forty years.
這位社運人士在政治遺囑中，概述了她捍衛四十年的原則。
The diary serves as a testament of ordinary people's hopes and fears during wartime.
這本日記記錄了戰時普通人的希望與恐懼，成為那個時代的見證。
- creed
a formal statement of religious belief; narrower than testament
- declaration
more general; can be about any subject, not only deeply held beliefs
- profession
emphasises the public, verbal nature of the statement; slightly dated
- denial
a statement that rejects a belief or principle
文法句型
testament of + noun phrase
political testament
personal testament
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (proof): sense 3 describes a deliberate declaration of belief, not indirect evidence. The phrase 'Old Testament' and 'New Testament' (the two parts of the Christian Bible) are proper nouns and do not follow the countable usage of this sense.