Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1300-1400
Language: Old French
Origin: Latin heres

heir

 noun
     
Related topics: Law
heir [countable]
1SCL the person who has the legal right to receive the property or title of another person when they die
heir to
John was the sole heir to a vast estate.
heir to the throne (=the person who will become king or queen)
2PB the person who will take over a position or job after you, or who does things or thinks in a similar way to you:
Jonson was his political heir as leader of the Nationalist Party.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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