inheritance Hear it!

inheritance definition

in·her·it·ance (in her′i təns)

noun

  1. the action of inheriting
  2. something inherited or to be inherited; legacy; bequest
  3. ownership by virtue of birthright; right to inherit
  4. anything received as if by inheritance from a predecessor
  5. any characteristic passed on by heredity

Etymology: ME inheritauns < Anglo-Fr & OFr enheritance

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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