heir at law

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.
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            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.
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HEIR AT LAW. He who, after his ancestor's death intestate, has a right to 
all lands, tenements, and hereditaments, which belonged to him, or of which 
he was seised. The same as heir general. (q.v.)