n.1 a person entitled to property or rank as the legal successor of its former owner (often foll. by to: heir to the throne).
2 a person deriving or morally entitled to some thing, quality, etc., from a predecessor.
Phrases and idioms:
heir apparent an heir whose claim cannot be set aside by the birth of another heir. heir-at-law (pl. heirs-at-law) an heir by right of blood, esp. to the real property of an intestate. heir presumptive an heir whose claim may be set aside in this way.
Derivatives:
heirdom n. heirless adj. heirship n.
Etymology: ME f. OF eir f. LL herem f. L heres -edis