Also 5 (condicylle), 6–7 codicill, 7 codecil, 8 codicel. [ad. L. cōdicill-us (chiefly in pl.), dim. of cōdex CODEX.]
1. Law. A supplement to a will, added by the testator for the purpose of explanation, alteration or revocation of the original contents.
1490. Caxton, Eneydos, xxvii. (1890), 100. This is my testament and my last will, my condicylle and my willynge inreuocable and permanent.
1583. Golding, Calvin on Deut., cxcii. 1195. Hee meant not to deface the remembrance of the things which he had written afore … in the testament or last Will of Jacob: but to make as it were a Codicill vnto it.
a. 1661. Fuller, Worthies, I. 161. He bequeathed to [them] … one hundred pounds a piece by his Will, and as much by a Codecil annexed thereunto.
c. 1720. Prior, Alma, II. 80. To appoint her, By codicil, a larger jointure.
1838. Dickens, Nich. Nick., i. He had, in a fit of very natural exasperation, revoked the bequest in a codicil.
b. transf. and fig. Supplement, appendix.
1784. H. Walpole, Lett. to de Soyres, 27 March, in Acad., 25 Feb. (1882), 138/3. We have at present so bitter a codicil to a most severe Winter, that Berkeley Square was as much covered with Snow this morning as It was two months ago. Ibid. (1789), Remin., ix. 67. I have done with royal personages. Shall I add a codicil on some remarkable characters that I remember?
1835. Lytton, Rienzi, IX. vi. 398. Our compact is sealed; one word by way of codicil.
† 2. Occas. in other senses of L. codicilli: A writing-tablet, a letter or note written thereon; an account-book (L. codex); a diploma or letters patent. Obs.
1640. G. Watts, trans. Bacon’s Adv. Learn., 56. A paire of Tables, or Codicills, wherein to register the wise and grave sayings of others.
1699. Bentley, Phal., xx. 539. The Codicills were return’d with an Answer upon the same Wax where the former Letter was written.
a. 1704. T. Brown, Praise of Poverty, Wks. 1730, I. 93. His codicils or paper of accounts.
1781. Gibbon, Decl. & F., II. 25. The codicils or patents of their office were curiously emblazoned.
