Inherit
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2008-06-02T23:28:50Z
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Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/71.185.25.216|71.185.25.216]] ([[User talk:71.185.25.216|talk]]) to last version by Catdude
{{wiktionarypar|inherit}}
To '''inherit''' something is to get it from one's [[ancestor]]s through legal succession (e.g., "'''inherit''' the throne"), or through a [[bequest]] (e.g., "'''inherited''' money from his deceased aunt"), or from [[Genetics|genetic transmission]] (e.g., "'''inherited''' [[Color blindness|color-blindness]] from his father"). As a related definition, it can mean to take power or possession due to a perceived right or dominating ability to do so (e.g., "Their children's children will '''inherit''' the earth"; or, "The [[nobility]] of the invading [[tribe]] will '''inherit''' the ruling-[[caste]] positions of Xopanthia").
As a further related definition, it can also mean — in a more general sense — to derive a characteristic from people, groups or objects which were influential at some time in the past, even if such people/groups/objects are not "ancestral" to those who receive the characteristic (as in, for example, "The [[Western Europe]]ans, during the [[Middle Ages]], '''inherited''' the learning of the [[Arab]]s by [[Translation|translating]] many of their important writings").
Other specific meanings and related articles:
* In the sense of [[biology]] or [[genetics]], see '''[[Heredity]]''';
* In the sense of [[computer science]], see '''[[Inheritance (computer science)]]''';
* In the sense of [[law]] or [[society]], see '''[[Inheritance]]'''.
* In music, see [[Inherit (Free Kitten album)|''Inherit'' (Free Kitten album)]].
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