hereditary

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Of a title, honor or right: legally granted to somebody's descendant after that person's death.

   Duke is a hereditary title which was created in Norman times.

2. 2
   adj

   Of a person: holding a legally hereditary title or rank.

   Hereditary rulers.

3. 3
   adj

   Of a disease or trait: passed from a parent to offspring in the genes.

   Haemophilia is hereditary in his family.

4. 4
   adj

   inherited or inheritable by established rules (usually legal rules) of descent

Inherited from Middle English hereditarie, from Latin hērēditārius, from hērēditās (“inheritance”), from hērēs (“heir”).

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