inherit

[ in-her-it ]

/ ɪnˈhɛr ɪt /

verb (used with object)

to take or receive (property, a right, a title, etc.) by succession or will, as an heir: to inherit the family business.

to receive as if by succession from predecessors: the problems the new government inherited from its predecessors.

to receive (a genetic character) by the transmission of hereditary factors.

to succeed (a person) as heir.

to receive as one's portion; come into possession of: to inherit his brother's old clothes.

verb (used without object)

to take or receive property or the like by virtue of being heir to it.

to receive qualities, powers, duties, etc., as by inheritance (followed by from).

to have succession as heir.

Nearby words

Origin of inherit

1275–1325; Middle English en(h)erit(i)en < Middle French enheriter < Late Latin inhērēditāre to make heir. See in-³, hereditary

Related forms

half-in·her·it·ed, adjectivenon·in·her·it·ed, adjectivepre·in·her·it, verb (used with object)qua·si-in·her·it·ed, adjective

re·in·her·it, verbun·in·her·it·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for inheriting

But our democratic prejudice against origins and breeding makes us deeply skeptical even of inheriting life goals.
Liam Neeson Loves Horses and Nietzsche|James Poulos|April 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Speaking from his home in Tryon, N.C., Reid, 63, discussed the challenges that came with inheriting such a huge project.
The Final Roar: Paul Reid on Finishing William Manchester’s Life of Churchill|Kevin Canfield|November 16, 2012|DAILY BEAST
He also is inheriting a shrinking staff hurt by layoffs and furloughs.
USA Today Takes Digital Gamble in Hiring David Callaway as New Editor|Howard Kurtz|July 16, 2012|DAILY BEAST
And in much of the world laws that bar women from owning land or inheriting property keep women from accessing financial services.
Hillary: Global Economy Depends on Women|Gayle Tzemach Lemmon|September 16, 2011|DAILY BEAST

Which surprised even me, since I figured if there's anything Republicans ought to be good at, it's inheriting things.
Karl Rove’s Gift to the Dems|Paul Begala|June 30, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Instead of inheriting the position, Wilson had remained on Mars, safely out of the family's way.
Badge of Infamy|Lester del Rey
The parliament of 1572 seemed to give evidence of their inheriting the spirit of the last by choosing Mr. Bell for their speaker.
Constitutional History of England, Vol 1 of 3|Henry Hallam
Inheriting great wealth, he devoted his revenues to charity, sometimes living on bread and water and sleeping on straw.
The Lure of the Camera|Charles S. Olcott
His sons by his first marriage had died one after another, inheriting their mother's delicate health.
The Ladies Lindores, Vol. 1(of 3)|Margaret Oliphant
She complimented me for inheriting a spark of Roy's brilliancy.
The Adventures of Harry Richmond, Complete|George Meredith

British Dictionary definitions for inheriting

inherit

/ (ɪnˈhɛrɪt) /

verb -its, -iting or -ited

to receive (property, a right, title, etc) by succession or under a will

(intr) to succeed as heir

(tr) to possess (a characteristic) through genetic transmission

(tr) to receive (a position, attitude, property, etc) from a predecessor

Derived Formsinherited, adjectiveinheritor, nouninheritress or inheritrix, fem n

Word Origin for inherit

C14: from Old French enheriter, from Late Latin inhērēditāre to appoint an heir, from Latin hērēs heir

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for inheriting

inherit

c.1300, "to make (someone) an heir," from Old French enheriter "make heir, appoint as heir," from Late Latin inhereditare "to appoint as heir," from Latin in- "in" (see in- (2)) + hereditare "to inherit," from heres (genitive heredis) "heir" (see heredity). Sense of "receive inheritance" arose mid-14c.; original sense is retained in disinherit. Related: Inherited; inheriting.

inherit

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

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Nearby words

Origin of inherit

Examples from the Web for inheriting

British Dictionary definitions for inheriting

inherit

verb -its, -iting or -ited

Word Origin for inherit

Word Origin and History for inheriting

inherit

Medicine definitions for inheriting

inherit

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