HEREDITARY


Meaning of HEREDITARY in English

hə̇ˈredəˌterē, -ri also heˈ- adjective

Etymology: Latin hereditarius, from hereditas inheritance + -arius -ary — more at heredity

1.

a. : genetically transmitted or capable of being genetically transmitted from parent to offspring

hereditary factor

hereditary disease

— see heredity 2; compare acquired , congenital , familial

b. : characteristic of or fostered by one's predecessors : ancestral

hereditary pride

hereditary bravery

hereditary feud

2.

a. : descended or capable of descending from an ancestor to an heir at law : received or passing by inheritance or required to pass by inheritance

hereditary wealth

hereditary monarchy

b. : having title or possession through inheritance

hereditary sovereign

hereditary nobility

3. : of a kind or status established by tradition

hereditary enemy

a hereditary reputation for liberality and kindness — Louise P. Kellogg

4. : of or relating to inheritance or heredity

unless he had the hereditary dispositions which he has, he would not behave the way he does — Arthur Pap

the hereditary principle, once a business has been founded, has proved … a serviceable method of ensuring fresh supplies of managerial talent — Roy Lewis & Angus Maude

Synonyms: see innate

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.