heir apparent

noun

: an heir whose right to receive money, property, or a title cannot be taken away

: a person who is very likely to have a job or position after the person who has it now leaves

plural heirs apparent

Full Definition of HEIR APPARENT

: an heir whose right to an inheritance is indefeasible except by exclusion under a valid will if he or she survives the ancestor

: one whose succession especially to a position or role appears certain under existing circumstances

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14th century

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