Dictionary entries for 'inherit'

Synonyms

come into

in·her·it (ĭn-hĕŕĭt)

[Middle English enheriten, from Old French enheriter, to make heir to, from Late Latin inhērēditāre, to inherit, Latin in-, in; see in–², + Late Latin hērēditāre, to inherit (from Latin hērēs, hērēd-, heir; see ghē-).]

verb: -it·ed, -it·ing, -its.

transitive verb

1. To receive (property or a title, for example) from an ancestor by legal succession or will.
2. To receive by bequest or as a legacy.
To receive or take over from a predecessor: The new administration inherited the economic problems of the last four years.
Biology To receive (a characteristic) from one's parents by genetic transmission.
To gain (something) as one's right or portion.

intransitive verb

To hold or take possession of an inheritance.

derivatives

in·heŕi·tor: noun

verb: -it·ed, -it·ing, -its.

transitive verb

intransitive verb

derivatives

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition