這些術(shù)語均有“遺囑”的含義。其中，will是一般用語，指遺囑人按照法律規(guī)定的方式處分遺產(chǎn)或其他事務(wù)并于其死亡時發(fā)生效力的行為，其所處分的遺產(chǎn)既可是不動產(chǎn)也可以是動產(chǎn)[1]。testament作為“遺囑”時有兩種用法，一是為一般用語，此時其等于will; 二是和devise相對應(yīng)，作為特別用語，此時它們的區(qū)別在于testament是作為“處分動產(chǎn)的遺囑”（a will disposing of personal property[2])。而devise則是“處分不動產(chǎn)的遺囑”（a will disposing real property[3])或指“遺囑中處分不動產(chǎn)的條款” (a clause in a will disposing of property and esp. real property[4])。

[1]“An instrument, executed with the formalities of state statutes，by which a person makes a disposition of his real and personal property, to take effect after his death, and which by its own nature is ambulatory and revocable during his life time. ”Cf. Publisher's Editorial Staff, Black's Law Dictionary, abridged 6th edition, at p. 1102, West Publishing Co. (1991).

[2] Cf. Bryan A. Gamer, Black's Law Dictionary, 7th edition, at p. 1484, West Group (1999).

[3] Id. at p. 463.

[4] Cf. Linda Pacard Wood, Merriam, Webster's Dictionary of Law, at p. 138，Merriam-Webster, Incorporated (1996).

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