In*her"it (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Inherited; p. pr. & vb. n.
Inheriting.] [OE. enheriten to inherit, to give a
heritage to, OF. enheriter to appoint as an heir, L.
inhereditare; pref. in- in + hereditare to
inherit, fr. heres heir. See Heir.]
1. (Law) To take by descent from an
ancestor; to take by inheritance; to take as heir on the death of an
ancestor or other person to whose estate one succeeds; to receive as
a right or title descendible by law from an ancestor at his decease;
as, the heir inherits the land or real estate of his father;
the eldest son of a nobleman inherits his father's title; the
eldest son of a king inherits the crown.
2. To receive or take by birth; to have by
nature; to derive or acquire from ancestors, as mental or physical
qualities; as, he inherits a strong constitution, a tendency
to disease, etc.
Prince Harry is valiant; for the cold blood he did
naturally inherit of his father he hath . . . manured . . .
with good store of fertile sherris.
Shak.
3. To come into possession of; to possess; to
own; to enjoy as a possession.
But the meek shall inherit the
earth.
Ps. xxxvii. 11.
To bury so much gold under a tree,
And never after to inherit it.
Shak.
4. To put in possession of. [R.]
Shak.
In*her"it (?), v. i. To take or
hold a possession, property, estate, or rights by
inheritance.
Thou shalt not inherit our father's
house.
Judg. xi. 2.
