v., -it·ed, -it·ing, -its. v.tr.
- To receive (property or a title, for example) from an ancestor by legal succession or will.
- To receive by bequest or as a legacy.
- To receive or take over from a predecessor: The new administration inherited the economic problems of the last four years.
- Biology. To receive (a characteristic) from one's parents by genetic transmission.
- To gain (something) as one's right or portion.
To hold or take possession of an inheritance.
[Middle English enheriten, from Old French enheriter, to make heir to, from Late Latin inhērēditāre, to inherit : Latin in-, in; see in-2 + Late Latin hērēditāre, to inherit (from Latin hērēs, hērēd-, heir).]
inheritor in·her'i·tor n.




