Main Entry: he·red·i·ty

Pronunciation: \hə-ˈred-ət-ē\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural he·red·i·ties

1 : the sum of the qualities and potentialities genetically derived from one's ancestors
2 : the transmission of traits from ancestor to descendant through the molecular mechanism lying primarily in the DNA or RNA of the genes—compare meiosis