v. (inherited, inheriting) 1 tr. receive (property, rank, title, etc.) by legal descent or succession. 2 tr. derive (a quality or characteristic) genetically from one's ancestors. 3 absol. succeed as an heir (a younger son rarely inherits). inheritor n. (fem. inheritress or inheritrix).
[ ME f. OF enheriter f. LL inhereditare (as IN-(2), L heres heredis heir) ]