passed down
Given through generations
Passed down describes something transmitted from one generation to the next—traditions, stories, possessions, or traits: The recipe was passed down from my grandmother.
The phrase emphasizes continuity across time, suggesting inheritance rather than active teaching.
Genes are passed down biologically; heirlooms are passed down through wills or custom; wisdom is passed down through storytelling.
Gift left by will
- estateProperty and grounds
- endowmentPermanent donated fund
- legacyWhat's passed down
- birthrightEntitlement from origin
entailment · will · trust · deed · property · land · title · name
Traditional practices or import taxes
- ritualsCeremonial repeated practices
- ceremoniesFormal observances with ritual
- folkloreInherited cultural narratives
- oral historyRecorded interviews about the past
stories · recipes · songs · proverbs · lore · practices · beliefs · superstitions
bequest
Gift left by will
birthright · entailment · will · trust · deed · property · land · title · name · fortune
customs
Traditional practices or import taxes
- ritualsCeremonial repeated practices
- ceremoniesFormal observances with ritual
- folkloreInherited cultural narratives
oral history · stories · recipes · songs · proverbs · lore · practices · beliefs · superstitions · values
ancestry
Family line of descent
- genealogyStudy of family descent
- bloodlineAncestry through generations
- family treeChart of ancestors
heritage · descent · forebears · ancestors · pedigree · kinship · clan · roots · dynasty · posterity
keepsake
Item preserved for sentiment
locket · brooch · pendant · timepiece · jewelry · quilt · silverware · porcelain · tapestry · furniture
- Generational Wisdomproverbs, folklore, mentorship, oral history, storytelling
- Born with itinnate, inborn, hereditary, genetic, inherent
- went downfell, dropped, descended, plunged, tumbled