Word Study
inherit
CIDE DICTIONARY
inherit, v. t. [OE. enheriten to inherit, to give a heritage to, OF. enheriter to appoint as an heir, L. inhereditare; pref. in- in + hereditare to inherit, fr. heres heir. See Heir.].
- To take by descent from an ancestor; to take by inheritance; to take as heir on the death of an ancestor or other person to whose estate one succeeds; to receive as a right or title descendible by law from an ancestor at his decease; as, the heir inherits the land or real estate of his father; the eldest son of a nobleman inherits his father's title; the eldest son of a king inherits the crown. [1913 Webster]
- To receive or take by birth; to have by nature; to derive or acquire from ancestors, as mental or physical qualities, genes, or genetic traits; as, he inherits a strong constitution, a tendency to disease, etc.; to inherit hemophilia [1913 Webster]"Prince Harry is valiant; for the cold blood he did naturally inherit of his father he hath . . . manured . . . with good store of fertile sherris." [1913 Webster]
- To come into possession of; to possess; to own; to enjoy as a possession. [1913 Webster]"But the meek shall inherit the earth." [1913 Webster]"To bury so much gold under a tree,
And never after to inherit it." [1913 Webster] - To put in possession of. Shak. [1913 Webster]
inherit, v. i.
To take or hold a possession, property, estate, or rights by inheritance. [1913 Webster]
"Thou shalt not inherit our father's house." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
inherit, v. (inherited, inheriting)
1 tr. receive (property, rank, title, etc.) by legal descent or succession.
2 tr. derive (a quality or characteristic) genetically from one's ancestors.
3 absol. succeed as an heir (a younger son rarely inherits).
1 tr. receive (property, rank, title, etc.) by legal descent or succession.
2 tr. derive (a quality or characteristic) genetically from one's ancestors.
3 absol. succeed as an heir (a younger son rarely inherits).
Derivative
inheritor n. (fem. inheritress or inheritrix).
Etymology
ME f. OF enheriter f. LL inhereditare (as IN-(2), L heres heredis heir)
ROGET THESAURUS
inherit
Acquisition
VB acquire, get, gain, win, earn, obtain, procure, gather, collect, pick, pickup, glean, find, come upon, pitch upon, light upon, scrape up, scrape together, get in, reap and carry, net, bag, sack, bring home, secure, derive, draw, get in the harvest, profit, make profit, draw profit, turn a quick profit, turn to profit, turn to account, make capital out of, make money by, obtain a return, reap the fruits of, reap an advantage, gain an advantage, turn a penny, turn an honest penny, make the pot boil, bring grist to the mill, make money, coin money, raise money, raise funds, raise the wind, fill one's pocket, treasure up, realize, clear, produce, take, get back, recover, regain, retrieve, revendicate, replevy, redeem, come by one's own, come by, come in for, receive, inherit, step into a fortune, step into the shoes of, succeed to, get hold of, get between one's finger and thumb, get into one's hand, get at, take possession, come into possession, enter into possession, be profitable, pay, answer, accrue.Possession
VB possess, have, hold, occupy, enjoy, be possessed of, have in hand, own, command, inherit, come to, come in for, engross, monopolize, forestall, regrate, impropriate, have all to oneself, corner, have a firmhold of, get into one's hand, belong to, appertain to, pertain to, be in one's possession, vest in.Property
VB possess, be the possessor of, own, have for one's own, have for one's very own, come in for, inherit, savor of the realty, be one's property, belong to, appertain to, pertain to.For further exploring for "inherit" in Webster Dictionary Online
