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.
© Webster 1913.
Heir (?), v. t.
To inherit; to succeed to.
[R.]
One only daughter heired the royal state.
Dryden.
© Webster 1913.