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Synonyms
Examples of heir in a Sentence
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'heir.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Noun
Middle English eir, eyre, heir, borrowed from Anglo-French heir, going back to Vulgar Latin *hērem, *hēre, taken as oblique forms (by declension reassignment) of Latin hērēd-, hērēs, from hēr- (probably going back to Indo-European *ǵheh1ro- "abandoned, derelict," whence also Greek chêros "widowed, orphaned, bereaved," chérā "widow") + -ēd-, perhaps a suffixal element
Note: Latin hērēd- has been directly compared with the base of Greek chērōstaí "kinsmen inheriting the property of a person lacking closer relatives" (with the agent suffix -tēs). Opposing the interpretation of *-ēd-/*-ōd- as a suffixal element is an older explanation that sees the etymon as a compound of *ǵheh1ro- and the verbal base *h1ed- "eat"—the whole hence meaning approximately "that which devours what is left behind." (The Greek outcome would then be from *ǵheh1ro-h1d-, with zero grade of the verb.) The adjective *ǵheh1ro- has been taken as a derivative of the verbal base *ǵheh1- "let go, leave behind" (see go entry 1).
Verb
Middle English erren, heyren, derivative of eir, eyre heir entry 1
Noun
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing heir
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Cite this Entry
“Heir.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heir. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.
Kids Definition
heir
nounLegal Definition
heir
nouncalled also heir at law, heir general, legal heir
compare issuecalled also apparent heir
compare heir presumptive in this entrycalled also heir of entail
called also bodily heir
called also presumptive heir
compare heir apparent in this entrycalled also instituted legatee
Note: This class of heirs was eliminated as of January 1, 1982. Formerly, a decedent's illegitimate children and spouse were considered irregular heirs.
Note: Prior to 1982 the Louisiana Civil Code distinguished between legal and irregular heirs who were required to go through an additional procedure in order to receive possession of the property. This division of heirs was eliminated in the 1981 revision of the Civil Code.
Note: Most states have statutes requiring a share of the estate to go to a pretermitted heir, especially one born after the execution of the will, on the assumption that the omission was unintentional.
More from Merriam-Webster on heir
Nglish: Translation of heir for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of heir for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about heir
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