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View synonyms for

inherit

[in-her-it]

verb (used with object)

  1. to take or receive (property, a right, a title, etc.) by succession or will, as an heir.

    to inherit the family business.

  2. to receive as if by succession from predecessors.

    the problems the new government inherited from the previous administration.

  3. to receive (a genetic character or trait) by the transmission of hereditary factors.

  4. to succeed (a person) as heir.

  5. to receive as one's portion; come into possession of.

    to inherit his brother's old clothes.



verb (used without object)

  1. to take or receive property or the like by virtue of being heir to it.

  2. to receive qualities, powers, duties, etc., as by inheritance (followed byfrom ).

  3. to have succession as heir.

inherit

/ ɪˈɛɪ /

verb

  1. to receive (property, a right, title, etc) by succession or under a will

  2. (intr) to succeed as heir

  3. (tr) to possess (a characteristic) through genetic transmission

  4. (tr) to receive (a position, attitude, property, etc) from a predecessor

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • preinherit verb (used with object)
  • reinherit verb
  • ˈٰ noun
  • ˈٴǰ noun
  • ˈٱ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of inherit1

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English en(h)erit(i)en, from Middle French enheriter, from Late Latin Գŧŧ徱 “to make heir”; in- 3, hereditary
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Word History and Origins

Origin of inherit1

C14: from Old French enheriter, from Late Latin Գŧŧ徱 to appoint an heir, from Latin ŧŧ heir
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Dear Liz: If someone inherits my retirement account, is there any way they can avoid having their Medicare premiums increased for 1 year?

From

Labour has zealously talked up its appetite to reform everything in sight, to respond to the gravity of the situation it inherited.

From

In response to Sting's criticisms, a government spokesman said it would "fix the crisis we have inherited".

From

Polling suggests much of the country reckons Labour inherited a bad hand and has played it badly.

From

Reverend Nixon's son inherited the painting after his death, Mr Gascoigne said, adding it then fell "into obscurity" having last been exhibited in Tasmania, Australia, in 1858.

From

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