inherited

[ in-her-i-tid ]

adjective

1. received from or as if from one’s predecessors:

   Their wealth is from inherited properties, mostly through the estate of their mother’s parents.

   For the novelist Henry James, history, tradition, precedence, and established forms constituted the inherited wisdom of civilization.

2. received through genetic transmission:

   the family’s inherited trait of straight blond hair;

   kidney problems symptomatic of an inherited disorder.

3. Baseball. (of a base runner) allowed on base by a previous pitcher:

   The unlucky reliever balked, hit a batter, threw a wild pitch, allowed an inherited runner to score, and got only one out.

Other Words From

• half-in·her·it·ed adjective
• non·in·her·it·ed adjective
• qua·si-in·her·it·ed adjective
• un·in·her·it·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of inherited¹

First recorded in 1795–1800; inherit ( def ) + -ed ²( def )

Example Sentences

Starting around that time, inherited sets of gene variants became increasingly similar in ancient individuals found in central, eastern and southern regions of sub-Saharan Africa, the researchers report.

From Science News

Just as it is inappropriate for the rich to feel pride in their inherited wealth, so too is it inappropriate for anyone to feel pride in their inherited race.

From Washington Post

The company uses genetic data to advise patients about inherited health risks and connects them to health counselors to help them respond to those risks.

From Fortune

I inherited the Arnold Family Thunder ThighsTM, which was a source of frequent teasing and distress for me as a child.

From The Daily Beast

Undoubtedly, the enormous inherited fortunes of the aristocracy facilitated a certain eccentricity.

From The Daily Beast

When Acton died in 1953, no will was found and his estate was inherited by Harold.

From The Daily Beast

Beacci, who had inherited nothing from her lover, had assumed his son would make provisions for her in his will.

From The Daily Beast

He inherited vast estates worth some £30m, all of which he sniffed, snorted and smoked away.

From The Daily Beast

A great-granddaughter of Fragonard, she seems to have inherited his talent; Corot and Renoir forcibly appealed to her.

From Project Gutenberg

He had two children, a boy and a girl, who inherited the northern and southern ranches in equal shares.

From Project Gutenberg

Power, and inherited influence, and exalted social position have a deadly insinuation.

From Project Gutenberg

Her mother had inherited a small fortune from Agnes' grandma and this Barr had sought to secure.

From Project Gutenberg

He inherited in exaggerated degree his mother's highly strung nervous nature.

From Project Gutenberg