Back
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

inherit

Definition

Inherit means to receive something from someone else, usually a parent or grandparent. For example, if you inherit your parents' blue eyes, you are receiving a trait that they passed down to you.

Inheritance is how traits are passed down from parents to their children. Traits can be physical, like hair colour or eye colour, or they can be behavioural, like musical talent or athletic ability.

Inheritance is controlled by genes, which are tiny units of DNA that are found in the nucleus of cells. Genes determine how traits are expressed, or how they appear in an individual.

How can the word be used?

The family inherited the farm from their grandparents.

inherit

Different forms of the word

Verb: Inherit means to receive something, such as property or money, from someone who has died.

Noun: An inheritance is something that is inherited, such as property or money.

Adjective: Inherited means received from someone who has died. For example, an inherited trait is a trait that is passed down from one generation to the next.

Etymology

The word "inherit" comes from the Latin word "hereditare", which means "to receive as an inheritance". This is a very accurate description of the meaning of the word "inherit", as it refers to the act of receiving something from someone who has died.

Question

What does inherit mean?