Heir apparent

Heir apparent
Heir Heir ([^a]r), n. [OE. heir, eir, hair, OF. heir, eir, F. hoir, L. heres; of uncertain origin. Cf. {Hereditary}, {Heritage}.] 1. One who inherits, or is entitled to succeed to the possession of, any property after the death of its owner; one on whom the law bestows the title or property of another at the death of the latter. [1913 Webster]

I am my father's heir and only son. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2. One who receives any endowment from an ancestor or relation; as, the heir of one's reputation or virtues. [1913 Webster]

And I his heir in misery alone. --Pope. [1913 Webster]

{Heir apparent}. (Law.) See under {Apparent}.

{Heir at law}, one who, after his ancector's death, has a right to inherit all his intestate estate. --Wharton (Law Dict.).

{Heir presumptive}, one who, if the ancestor should die immediately, would be his heir, but whose right to the inheritance may be defeated by the birth of a nearer relative, or by some other contingency. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • heir apparent — see heir Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam Webster. 1996. heir apparent …   Law dictionary

  • heir apparent — ˌheir apˈparent noun [singular] JOURNALISM someone who is expected to become head of an organization after the present head leaves: • He is seen as heir apparent to the chief executive. * * * heir apparent UK US noun [S] ► the person who is… …   Financial and business terms

  • Heir apparent — Apparent Ap*par ent, a. [F. apparent, L. apparens, entis, p. pr. of apparere. See {Appear}.] 1. Capable of being seen, or easily seen; open to view; visible to the eye; within sight or view. [1913 Webster] The moon . . . apparent queen. Milton.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • heir apparent — n. pl. heirs apparent the heir whose right to a certain property or title cannot be denied if the heir outlives the ancestor and the ancestor dies intestate: see HEIR PRESUMPTIVE …   English World dictionary

  • heir apparent — heir apparency. pl. heirs apparent. 1. an heir whose right is indefeasible, provided he or she survives the ancestor. 2. a person whose succession to a position appears certain: His popularity makes him the chief s heir apparent. [1325 75; ME] *… …   Universalium

  • heir apparent — ► NOUN (pl. heirs apparent) 1) an heir whose claim cannot be set aside by the birth of another heir. 2) a person who is most likely to succeed to the place of another …   English terms dictionary

  • Heir apparent — An heir apparent is an heir who (short of a fundamental change in the situation) cannot be displaced from inheriting; the term is used in contrast to heir presumptive, the term for a conditional heir who is currently in line to inherit but could… …   Wikipedia

  • heir apparent — heirs apparent N COUNT: usu sing, oft the N to n, poss N The heir apparent to a particular job or position is the person who is expected to have it after the person who has it now. [JOURNALISM] ...a man who was once the heir apparent to a media… …   English dictionary

  • heir apparent — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms heir apparent : singular heir apparent plural heirs apparent a) an heir whose right to a rank or title cannot be taken away if another heir is born b) the person who is most likely to follow another person in a …   English dictionary

  • heir apparent — heir ap parent plural heirs apparent n 1.) an heir whose right to receive the family property, money, or title cannot be taken away 2.) someone who seems very likely to take over a person s job, position etc when that person leaves …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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