Main Entry: her·i·tage

Pronunciation: \ˈher-ə-tij, ˈhe-rə-\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from heriter to inherit, from Late Latin hereditare, from Latin hered-, heres heir — more at heir

Date: 13th century

1 : property that descends to an heir
2 a : something transmitted by or acquired from a predecessor : legacy, inheritance b : tradition
3 : something possessed as a result of one's natural situation or birth : birthright <the nation's heritage of tolerance>