heredity Hear it!

heredity definition

he·red·ity (hə red′i tē)

noun pl. heredities -·ties

    1. the transmission of characteristics from parent to offspring by means of genes in the chromosomes
    2. the tendency of offspring to resemble parents or ancestors through such transmission
  2. all the characteristics inherited genetically by an individual

Etymology: Fr hérédité < L hereditas, heirship < heres, heir < IE base *hē-, to be empty, leave behind > go, Gr chēres, bereft

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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