n.
Pronunciation: ' er
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French eir, heir, from Latin hered-, heres; akin to Greek ch ē ros bereaved
Date: 13th century
1 : one who inherits or is entitled to inherit property
2 : one who inherits or is entitled to succeed to a hereditary rank, title, or office < heir to the throne>
3 : one who receives or is entitled to receive some endowment or quality from a parent or predecessor
– heir · less \ -l ə s \ adjective
– heir · ship \ - ˌ ship \ noun