ɛə 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. øheir
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. øøheirdom n. heirless adj. heirship n. [ME f. OF eir f. LL herem f. L heres -edis]