noun

inheritance

in-HAIR-ih-tuns/ɪnˈherɪtəns/

Property received from a person after that person's death.

Her inheritance includes a family watch and a plain shawl.

An old family house key, small heirloom watch and folded plain shawl rest in an opened modest keepsake box, material inheritance without text.

Etymology

inLatinin

+heritLatinto inherit

+anceOld Frenchact, state, or result

Built on the verb for making someone an heir, the noun first named receiving by succession, then what was received. This shift connects the act of inheriting with the property or traits passed down.

In context

Wikipedia Fan32:46

The Mendelian theory of inheritance declared that genetic traits and attributes were passed from one generation to another.

Nazi | Wikipedia audio article

More examples

He used his inheritance to pay off the mortgage.
The farm was her only inheritance from her father.
The siblings received equal inheritances when their aunt died.

Forms

inheritance · inheritances

inherit verb — Receive property from someone who has died.

Similar words

bequest: Property specifically left to someone through a will.
estate: All property someone leaves behind, rather than one recipient's share.