— heirless , adj.
/air/ , n.
1. a person who inherits or has a right of inheritance in the property of another following the latter's death.
2. Law.
a. (in common law) a person who inherits all the property of a deceased person, as by descent, relationship, will, or legal process.
b. Civil Law. a person who legally succeeds to the place of a deceased person and assumes the rights and obligations of the deceased, as the liabilities for debts or the possessory rights to property.
3. a person who inherits or is entitled to inherit the rank, title, position, etc., of another.
4. a person or group considered as inheriting the tradition, talent, etc., of a predecessor.
v.t.
5. Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S. to inherit; succeed to.
[ 1225-75; ME eir, heir hered- (s. of heres ); akin to Gk chêros bereaved ]