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heredity
heredity definition
he·red·ity (hə red′i tē)
noun pl. heredities -·ties
- the transmission of characteristics from parent to offspring by means of genes in the chromosomes
- the tendency of offspring to resemble parents or ancestors through such transmission
- 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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