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heredity

Browse the Dictionary:: A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N; O; P; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; #

heredity

Main Entry:: he·red·i·ty
Pronunciation:: \hə-ˈre-də-tē\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: Middle French heredité, from Latin hereditat-, hereditas, from hered-, heres heir — more at heir
Date:: circa 1540

1 a: inheritance b: tradition2 a: the sum of the characteristics and potentialities genetically derived from one's ancestors b: the transmission of such qualities from ancestor to descendant through the genes

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