inheritance
UK[ɪnˈherɪtəns]US[ɪnˈhɛrɪtəns]
n
property, money, or a title that you receive from someone who has died.
n
the process of receiving something from a predecessor or ancestor.
n
a genetic characteristic or feature passed from parent to offspring.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
herit
ance
in
in, into, on
herit
ance
Etymology
the word 'inheritance' traces its lineage to the latin verb 'inhereditare', meaning 'to appoint as an heir', itself derived from 'heres' (heir). the prefix 'in-' intensifies the action of entering into possession, while the root 'herit' carries the core concept of heirship. the suffix '-ance' nominalizes the process, transforming the action of receiving into the state or result of what is received. thus, the literal 'act of entering into heirship' evolved through old french 'enheriter' into the modern english abstract concept encompassing legal, biological, and cultural transmission from one generation to the next.
Analysis
Structure: in + herit + ance
in- (latin, prefix): a prefix meaning 'in, into, on'.
herit (latin, root): from latin 'heres' (heir), meaning 'heir, to inherit'.
-ance (latin, suffix): a noun-forming suffix indicating an action, process, or state.
Examples
she received a large inheritance from her late aunt.
the inheritance of family traditions is important to them.
eye color is determined by genetic inheritance.