Inheritance Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ฐ
inheritance
[ษชnหhษrษชtษns ]
Definitions
family
The passing on of property, titles, debts, rights, and obligations upon the death of an individual. Inheritance can also refer to genetic traits passed down from parents to offspring.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| inheritance |
When someone discusses the assets, property, or money received from a relative after they pass away. This is a general term.
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| legacy |
This can refer to money or property left to someone, but also to intangible things like values, reputation, or traditions passed down through generations.
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| bequest |
Often used in legal contexts to refer to personal property or money left to someone in a will. It is more formal.
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| patrimony |
Primarily refers to heritage or property inherited from one's ancestors, often implying a cultural or ancestral significance.
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Examples of usage
- Her inheritance included a large estate and a valuable art collection.
- He inherited his mother's blue eyes, a physical trait that runs in the family.
- The inheritance laws vary from country to country.
- Receiving an inheritance can sometimes lead to family disputes.
- In some cultures, inheritance is based on primogeniture, where the eldest son inherits everything.
programming
In object-oriented programming, inheritance is a mechanism by which a new class inherits attributes and methods from an existing class. This promotes code reusability and allows for the creation of hierarchical relationships between classes.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| inheritance |
Use this in the context of receiving property or money from a deceased person or discussing the passing of genetic traits from parents to offspring. It is also widely used in object-oriented programming to describe a class that derives properties and behaviors from another class.
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| subclassing |
Specifically used in the realm of object-oriented programming, subclassing involves creating a new class that inherits properties and methods from an existing class but can also have its own additional properties and methods.
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| extension |
This is best used when talking about adding something to an existing structure or concept, making something longer or extending functionality in software development.
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Examples of usage
- The child class inherits the properties and methods of the parent class.
- Using inheritance, developers can create specialized classes that build upon existing functionality.
- Inheritance helps reduce code duplication and improves the maintainability of software.
- Understanding inheritance is key to mastering object-oriented programming.
- Inheritance is a fundamental concept in many programming languages such as Java and Python.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Legal Aspects
- Inheritance laws vary greatly by country, dictating how inheritances are distributed.
- In many cultures, inheritance is customarily divided among family members, though modern laws can differ.
- Estate planning is crucial to manage and decide how one's assets are distributed after death.
Cultural Significance
- Inheritance can reflect cultural values, such as the importance of family and legacy.
- In some cultures, the eldest child has the first right to inherit property or family businesses.
- Stories and folklore often emphasize the moral lessons surrounding inheritance, like greed or justice.
Psychology
- The way individuals handle inheritance can reveal much about their values and relationships.
- Family dynamics can be altered significantly by inheritance disputes.
- Psychological studies indicate that receiving an inheritance can impact an individual's self-esteem and financial behaviors.
Literature
- Inheritance often serves as a conflict catalyst in literary works, driving plots centered around family drama.
- Notable works use inheritance to explore themes of greed, loss, and the passage of time.
- Charles Dickensโ 'Great Expectations' addresses inheritance and personal growth, highlighting how wealth can change people.
Origin of 'inheritance'
Main points about word origin
- Derived from the Latin word 'hereditare', which means 'to inherit'.
- The term evolved through Old French 'heriter' before becoming the English 'inherit'.
- Historically, it was often used to describe land passed down in families.
The word 'inheritance' originated from the Latin word 'inheritantia', meaning 'a possession, legacy'. The concept of inheritance has long been a fundamental part of human societies, with traditions of passing down wealth, property, and titles dating back centuries. Inheritance laws have evolved over time to regulate the distribution of assets after an individual's death, ensuring fairness and legality in the transfer of property. In the context of programming, the term 'inheritance' was adopted to describe the ability of a new class to inherit characteristics from an existing class, reflecting the hierarchical nature of object-oriented programming.
See also: disinherit, inherit, inherited, inheritor, inheritrix.