in|her|it

in|her|it «ihn HEHR iht», transitive verb.

1. a) to get or have after someone dies; receive as an heir: »

After the farmer's death his wife and children will inherit the farm.

b) to be heir to (a person): »

Our sons inherit us (Tennyson).

2. a) to get (characteristics) from one's parents or ancestors: »

She inherits her blue eyes from her father.

b) to receive (anything) from one who came before: »

I inherited this old pen from the person who used to have my desk. Figurative. The new government inherited a financial crisis.

3. to come into possession of; receive as one's portion: »

Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? (Luke 18:18).

4. Obsolete. to make heir; put in possession; cause to inherit.

–v.i.

1. to succeed as an heir to property, a right, title, privilege, or office.

2. to receive qualities, powers, duties, or position, as by inheritance (from).

╂[< Old French enhriter, learned borrowing from Late Latin inhērēditāre, variant of inhērēdāre < Latin in- + hērēs, -ēdis heir]