heir

¹heir

noun \ˈer\

Definition of HEIR

1

: one who inherits or is entitled to inherit property

2

: one who inherits or is entitled to succeed to a hereditary rank, title, or office <heir to the throne>

3

: one who receives or is entitled to receive some endowment or quality from a parent or predecessor

— heir·less \-ləs\ adjective

— heir·ship \-ˌship\ noun

Examples of HEIR

1. His heirs could inherit millions of dollars.
2. The king left no heirs when he died.

Origin of HEIR

Middle English, from Anglo-French eir, heir, from Latin hered-, heres; akin to Greek chēros bereaved

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to HEIR

Synonyms: heir at law, inheritor, legatee

Related Words: claimant; heir apparent, representative, succeeder, successor; coheir, coheiress, heiress; assignee, beneficiary, devisee, grantee; descendant (also descendent), scion

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Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

Rhymes with HEIR

air, Ayr, bare, bear, Blair, blare, care, chair, chare, dare, Dare, e'er, ere, err, eyre, fair, fare, flair, flare, glair, glare, hair, hare, Herr, lair, mare, ne'er, pair, pare, pear, prayer, rare, rear, scare, share, snare, spare, square, stair, stare, swear, tare, tear, their, there, vair, ware, wear, weir, where, yare