heredity

Definitions


[hɪˈrɛdɪti], (Noun)

Definitions:
- the passing on of physical or mental characteristics genetically from one generation to another
(e.g: the relative influence of heredity and environment)

- the inheritance of a title, office, or right
(e.g: a second chamber whose membership is largely based on heredity)


Phrases:

Origin:
mid 16th century: from French hérédité, from Latin hereditas ‘heirship’, from heres, hered- ‘heir’




definition by Oxford Dictionaries