Heir (?), v. t. To inherit; to succeed to. [R.]
One only daughter heired the royal state.
Dryden.
Heir (?), 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.
I am my father's
heir and only son.
Shak. 2. One who receives any endowment from an ancestor or relation; as, the heir of one's reputation or
virtues.
And I his heir in misery alone.
Pope. 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.
Hear it pronounced