heir
UK[eə(r)]US[er]
n
a person who has the legal right to receive somebody's property, money, or title when that person dies
Etymology
the word 'heir' entered english in the 13th century from the old french 'eir' or 'oir', meaning heir or successor. its ultimate source is the latin noun 'heres' (genitive 'heredis'), which carried the same meaning of one who inherits. this latin term is believed to be related to the greek 'khēra', meaning 'widow', suggesting a deep indo-european connection to concepts of bereavement and succession. the word's journey from latin through french simplified its form, dropping the final consonant and altering the pronunciation, but its core legal and familial concept of inheritance has remained remarkably consistent for centuries.
Analysis
this word is a simplex form. it is a loanword from old french, which itself derived from latin 'heres' (heir).
Examples
he was the sole heir to his father's vast estate.
she is the heir apparent to the company's presidency.
as the eldest son, he was considered the natural heir to the throne.