inherit

verb in·her·it \in-ˈher-ət, -ˈhe-rət\

: to receive (money, property, etc.) from someone when that person dies

biology : to have (a characteristic, disease, etc.) because of the genes that you get from your parents when you are born

: to get (a personal quality, interest, etc.) because of the influence or example of your parents or other relatives

Full Definition of INHERIT

transitive verb

: to come into possession of or receive especially as a right or divine portion <and every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters … for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life — Matthew 19:29 (Revised Standard Version)>

a : to receive from an ancestor as a right or title descendible by law at the ancestor's death

b : to receive as a devise or legacy

: to receive from a parent or ancestor by genetic transmission <inherit a defective enzyme>

: to have in turn or receive as if from an ancestor <inherited the problem from his predecessor>

intransitive verb

: to take or hold a possession or rights by inheritance

— in·her·i·tor \-(r)ə-tər\ noun

— in·her·i·tress \-(r)ə-trəs\ or in·her·i·trix \-(r)ə-(ˌ)triks\ noun

See inherit defined for English-language learners

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Origin of INHERIT

Middle English enheriten to give right of inheritance to, from Anglo-French enheriter, from Late Latin inhereditare, from Latin in- + hereditas inheritance — more at heredity

First Known Use: 14th century