heirloom
UK[ˈeə.luːm]US[ˈer.luːm]
n
a valuable object that has belonged to the same family for several generations.
n
a cultivar of a plant that has been passed down through generations, typically for its valued characteristics.
Morpheme Breakdown
heir
loom
heir
loom
Etymology
the word 'heirloom' is a compound formed from two old english elements, though its path to modern english is indirect. the first element, 'heir', entered english via old french from the latin heres, which itself derives from the proto-indo-european root ǵhē- meaning 'to leave behind'. the second element, 'loom', originates from the old english gelōma, meaning 'a tool or utensil', from the root lōm- pertaining to tools. originally, an heirloom was specifically a piece of personal property (a 'loom' or tool) that could be passed to a direct heir, unlike real estate which followed different inheritance laws. over time, the term broadened from its legal specificity to encompass any treasured family possession handed down through generations, and later extended metaphorically to heritage varieties of plants and seeds.
Analysis
Structure: heir + loom
heir (from old french oir, latin heres meaning 'heir, inheritor', functional role: core semantic root); loom (from middle english lome, old english gelōma meaning 'tool, utensil, heirloom', functional role: core semantic root).
Examples
the antique pocket watch was a cherished family heirloom.
she grows delicious tomatoes from heirloom seeds saved by her grandmother.
according to the will, the painting was to be kept as an heirloom and not sold.