from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
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2. One who receives any endowment from an ancestor or
relation; as, the heir of one's reputation or virtues.
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And I his heir in misery alone. --Pope.
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{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]
from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
HEIR PRESUMPTIVE. A presumptive heir is one who, in the present
circumstances, would be entitled to the inheritance, but whose rights may be
defeated by the contingency of some nearer heir being born. 2 B1 Com. 208.
In Louisiana, the presumptive heir is he who is the nearest relation of the
deceased, capable of inheriting. This quality is given to him before the
decease of the person from whom he is to inherit, as well as after the
opening of the succession, until he has accepted or renounced it. Civ. Code
of Lo. art. 876.