heritable
Passed through generations
Heritable describes something that can be passed from one generation to the next.
The term applies most often to genetic traits: Eye color is heritable.
In legal contexts, heritable property can be inherited by heirs.
The word emphasizes capacity for transmission rather than the transmission itself—a trait may be heritable without being inherited in any particular case.
Units of heredity
- DNAHereditary code molecule
- chromosomesGene-bearing nuclear structures
- allelesVariant forms of genes
- genotypeOrganism's complete allele set
phenotype · mutation · dominant · recessive · polygenic · monogenic · genomics · locus
Affecting gene expression, not sequence
- transgenerationalCrossing age cohorts
- intergenerationalInvolving multiple age groups
- passed downTransmitted through lineage
- hereditableTransferable by succession
acquired trait · familial · congenital · inborn · predisposition
Descent from progenitors
- bloodlineAncestry through generations
- pedigreeRecord of descent
- genealogyStudy of family descent
- ancestryFamily line of descent
descendants · forebears · dynasty · clan · family tree · noble blood · royal succession · peerage
Property and grounds
- bequestGift left by will
- patrimonyInherited estate or legacy
- entailmentLogical necessity from premises
- primogenitureEldest inherits all
birthright · succession · beneficiary · intestate · probate · will · testament · devise
genes
Units of heredity
- DNAHereditary code molecule
- chromosomesGene-bearing nuclear structures
- allelesVariant forms of genes
genotype · phenotype · mutation · dominant · recessive · polygenic · monogenic · genomics · locus · Mendelian
epigenetic
Affecting gene expression, not sequence
- transgenerationalCrossing age cohorts
- intergenerationalInvolving multiple age groups
- passed downTransmitted through lineage
acquired trait · hereditable · familial · congenital · inborn · predisposition
lineage
Descent from progenitors
ancestry · descendants · forebears · dynasty · clan · family tree · noble blood · royal succession · peerage · aristocracy
estate
Property and grounds
- bequestGift left by will
- patrimonyInherited estate or legacy
- entailmentLogical necessity from premises
primogeniture · birthright · succession · beneficiary · intestate · probate · will · testament · devise · endowment
- land tenurefreehold, leasehold, land ownership, tenancy, tenure system
- Scots Lawpursuer, defender, advocates, advocate, solicitors
- Genetic Traitshair color, dark hair, skin color, dimples, blood type
heritablenonheritable
Not genetically transmitted
nonhereditary · acquired · noninherited · environmental · learned
heritableinalienable
Incapable of being surrendered
personal · non-transferable · nonheritable · nontransferable · nontransmissible
- heritable propertyLegally transferable estate