inherit

in·her·it

verb \in-ˈher-ət, -ˈhe-rət\

Definition of INHERIT

transitive verb

1

: to come into possession of or receive especially as a right or divine portion <and every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters … for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life — Matthew 19:29 (Revised Standard Version)>

2

a : to receive from an ancestor as a right or title descendible by law at the ancestor's death b : to receive as a devise or legacy

3

: to receive from a parent or ancestor by genetic transmission <inherit a defective enzyme>

4

: to have in turn or receive as if from an ancestor <inherited the problem from his predecessor>

intransitive verb

: to take or hold a possession or rights by inheritance

— in·her·i·tor \-(r)ə-tər\ noun

— in·her·i·tress \-(r)ə-trəs\ or in·her·i·trix \-(r)ə-(ˌ)triks\ noun

Examples of INHERIT

1. She inherited the family business from her father.
2. Baldness is inherited from the mother's side of the family.
3. She inherited her father's deep blue eyes.
4. She inherited a love of baseball from her dad.
5. When my brother left for college, I inherited his old computer.
6. The company's new president will inherit some complicated legal problems.
7. When the coach quit, her assistant inherited a last-place team.

Origin of INHERIT

Middle English enheriten to give right of inheritance to, from Anglo-French enheriter, from Late Latin inhereditare, from Latin in- + hereditas inheritance — more at heredity

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with INHERIT

demerit