inherit
//ɪnˈhɛɹɪt//
Forms
- present (v1)
- inherit
- past (v2)
- inherited
- past participle (v3)
- inherited
- present participle
- inheriting
- 3rd person singular
- inherits
Definitions
1.To receive (property, a title, etc.), by legal succession or bequest after the previous owner's death.
- After Grandad died, I inherited the house.
- Lucky old Daniel – his grandfather died rich, and he's inherited.
- ‘It's rather like a beautiful Inverness cloak one has inherited. Much too good to hide away, so one wears it instead of an overcoat and pretends it's an amusing new fashion.’
2.To take possession of as a right (especially in Biblical translations).
- Your descendants will inherit the earth.
3.To receive a characteristic from one's ancestors by genetic transmission.
- Let's hope the baby inherits his mother's looks and his father's intelligence.
4.To derive from people or conditions previously in force.
- This country has inherited an invidious class culture.
Frequency
Overall
Rare· #4857
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Rare
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Etymology
From Middle English enheriten, from Old French enheriter, from Late Latin inhereditare (“make heir”).
Displaced native Old English ierfan.