- Heir presumptive
- 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.
