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heritage definition

her·it·age (her′ə tij)

noun

  1. property that is or can be inherited
    1. something handed down from one's ancestors or the past, as a characteristic, a culture, tradition, etc.
    2. the rights, burdens, or status resulting from being born in a certain time or place; birthright

Etymology: ME < OFr < heriter < LL(Ec) hereditare, to inherit < L hereditas: see heredity

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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