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A theory which explains inheritance by the transmission of the type of growth force possessed by one generation to another.

or descending to him by law, and distributed to him in the settlement of the estate; an inheritance. Give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. Luke xv. 12.

The exclusive right of inheritance which belongs to the eldest son. Thus in England the right of inheriting the estate of the father belongs to the eldest son, and in the royal family the eldest son of the sovereign is entitled to the throne by primogeniture. In exceptional cases, among the female children, the crown d…

ght to expect or to claim the performance or forbearance of a specified act. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. Gal. iii. 18.

To acquire by any means except descent or inheritance. Blackstone.

t or agreement, or who takes or obtains an estate by any means other than by descent or inheritance.

To fall back; to revert. [Obs.] The inheritance of the son never resorted to the mother, or to any of her ancestors. Sir M. Hale.

our final rest, and native home. Milton. Ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance which the Lord your God giveth you. Deut. xii. 9.

Belonging, held, or possessed by right, or by just claim; as, a rightful inheritance; rightful authority.

Franks in the fifth century. By one provision of this code women were excluded from the inheritance of landed property. (b) Specifically, in modern times, a law supposed to be a special application of the above-mentioned provision, in accordance with which males alone can inherit the throne. This law has obtained in Fr…

A right of inheritance belonging to a second son; a property or possession so inherited. The kingdom of Naples . . . was constituted a secundo-geniture of Spain. Bancroft.

o have part; to receive a portion; to partake, enjoy, or suffer with others. A right of inheritance gave every one a title to share in the goods of his father. Locke.

the people shall have election of sheriff in every shire where the shrievalty is not of inheritance. Blackstone.

tuff. Shak. Stern as tutors, and as uncles hard. Dryden. These barren rocks, your stern inheritance. Wordsworth.

Having or giving the right of succeeding to an inheritance; inherited by succession; hereditary; as, a successive title; a successive empire. [Obs.] Shak. Successive induction. (Math.) See Induction, 5.

ight possessed by an heir or legatee of transmitting to his successor or successors any inheritance, legacy, right, or privilege, to which he is entitled, even if he should die without enjoying or exercising it.

icate by sending; to send from one person or place to another; to pass on or down as by inheritance; as, to transmit a memorial; to transmit dispatches; to transmit money, or bills of exchange, from one country to another. The ancientest fathers must be next removed, as Clement of Alexandria, and that Eusebian book of…