Main Entry: heir·loom

Pronunciation: \ˈer-ˌlüm\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English heirlome, from heir + lome implement — more at loom

Date: 15th century

1 : a piece of property that descends to the heir as an inseparable part of an inheritance of real property
2 : something of special value handed on from one generation to another
3 : a horticultural variety that has survived for several generations usually due to the efforts of private individuals