scion

[sahy-uhn]

noun

1. a descendant or heir, especially of a wealthy or powerful family.

   She's a familiar face in this Wyoming town, the third-generation scion of a cattle-ranching family.

   The two men were scions of the most powerful dynasties in the world.

   Synonyms: progeny, offshoot, issue, child

2. Sometimes cion a shoot or twig, especially one cut for grafting or planting; a cutting.

scion

/ ˈsaɪən /

noun

1. a descendant, heir, or young member of a family

2. a shoot or twig of a plant used to form a graft

scion

1. A detached shoot or twig containing buds from a woody plant, used in grafting.

Word History and Origins

Origin of scion¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English: “shoot, twig,” from Old French cion, from Frankish kī- (unrecorded) + Old French -on, noun suffix; compare Old English cīnan, Old Saxon kīnan, Old High German chīnan “to sprout,” Old English cīth, Old Saxon kīth “sprout”

Word History and Origins

Origin of scion¹

C14: from Old French cion, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German chīnan to sprout

Example Sentences

While in school he attended Episcopal chapel; he completed his metamorphosis by marrying the scion of a prominent Milwaukee family that was established in colonial Virginia in the 17th century.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Moments after “The Beast in Me” introduces Nile Jarvis, the real estate scion played by Matthew Rhys, viewers are left with few questions as to whether he murdered his wife.

Read more on Salon

The work came from the estate of cosmetics executive Leonard Lauder, elder scion of Estée Lauder and chairman emeritus of her beauty empire who died in June.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Tech scion David Ellison marked his 96th day running Paramount by disclosing an upbeat financial outlook for next year and a plan to cut an additional 1,600 workers.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

On Wednesday, Paramount laid off 1,000 employees in a first round of cuts after the company’s takeover by tech scion David Ellison’s Skydance Media.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• heir