inherit

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   obtain from someone after their death

   I inherited a castle from my French grandparents

2. 2
   verb

   receive by genetic transmission

   I inherited my good eyesight from my mother

3. 3
   verb

   receive from a predecessor

   The new chairman inherited many problems from the previous chair

4. 4
   verb

   To receive (property, a title, etc.), by legal succession or bequest after the previous owner's death.

   After Grandad died, I inherited the house.

5. 5
   verb

   To take possession of as a right (especially in Biblical translations).

   Your descendants will inherit the earth.

6. 6
   verb

   To receive a characteristic from one's ancestors by genetic transmission.

   Let's hope the baby inherits his mother's looks and his father's intelligence.

7. 7
   verb

   To derive from people or conditions previously in force.

   This country has inherited an invidious class culture.

8. 8
   verb

   To derive (existing functionality) from a superclass.

   ModalWindow inherits all the properties and methods of Window.

Etymology

From Middle English enheriten, from Old French enheriter, from Late Latin inhereditare (“make heir”). Displaced native Old English ierfan.